PALAKKAD: It has been decided to post one additional company of Thunderbolt personnel in Mannarkad to combat the Maoist menace, as it is difficult for the group stationed at Attappadi, around 40km away to act immediately and reach on time. The team has undergone rigorous and specialised training to confront Maoists.
N Vijayakumar, superintendent of police, told Express that 18 Thunderbolt personnel would be posted at Mannarkad. Recently, two groups of Maoists were sighted at Thenkara Thattengalam in the estate of the Plantation Corporation and also at Ambalapara near Thiruvazhamkunnu.
He said that, at present, there were about 40 personnel of the Thunderbolts stationed in Attappadi area to counter the Maoist threat.
The police had recovered bullets, uniforms, pouches, mobile headsets and a country-made gun of Maoists, from one of the Maoist hideouts beneath Maleeswara Mudi. It is learnt that it was Ayyappan, a tribal of Panniyurpadam in Attappadi, who tipped-off the police.
Ayyappan, who was initially made the second accused in the Kadakumanna firing on October 17, was taken into custody and later released stating that he was not involved.
Gang spotted
Palakkad: A four-member Maoist gang was spotted near the Forest Department office at Ambalapara near Thiruvazhamkunnu in the Silent valley buffer zone on the outskirts of Mannarkad on Sunday evening. A woman labourer who saw them was reportedly threatened by the members of the gang not to reveal their presence to anyone.