Gunmen in Nigeria kidnap traditional ruler, kill two

June 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Nigeria, June 13 (Reuters) – Gunmen in Nigeria killed two people and kidnapped a traditional ruler while they were attending church services in the oil-producing Niger Delta, police said on Sunday.

At least five others were injured in the attack on Eze Sunday Njoku, the traditional ruler of the Umuebulu community near the oil hub Port Harcourt in Rivers state.

“The hoodlums, who extracted (Njoku) from his seat inside the church, killed two people who reportedly attempted to block them,” said Rita Inoma-Abbey, spokeswoman for the Rivers state police.

“Several others also sustained gunshot injuries from stray bullets.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in the Niger Delta, home to Africa’s biggest oil and gas industry, with hundreds of incidents reported each year. Most victims are released unharmed after a couple of days.

Foreign firms, ranging from oil to construction to telecoms, are forced to spend millions of dollars on security for their staff because of the high crime rate in the Niger Delta. (Reporting by Austin Ekeinde; Writing by Randy Fabi; Editing by Matthew Jones)

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Naxal operation is on: CRPF DG

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, June 5 — There is no let up in the offensive against the Naxals in the country, especially Chhattisgarh, and those who think the morale of the force is down be warned, CRPF Director General Vikram Srivastava said. “The operations are continuing as usual and we’ve killed several Naxals in Bijapur and Dantewada (in Bastar) in the past one month,” he told HT. The operations, however, are largely based on the intelligence collected by the state police.

Allaying apprehensions that the CRPF had taken a backseat in Chhattisgarh after the killing of its 75 personnel by the Maoists in Dantewada on April 6, Srivastava said the central forces were extending all possible support to the state police in carrying out the operations. “We are there to fight a decisive battle,” he said.

Whether the force is prepared to take on the Naxals, he said the CRPF had vast experience of handling internal security problems and the Naxal menace would also be contained effectively. “No one should forget our role in Kashmir and the Northeast,” he reminded.

Besides 50 battalions in the Naxal areas in seven states of India, the CRPF has deployed 70 battalions in Jammu & Kashmir and 40 battalions in the Northeast to fight against the insurgents. The government is also upgrading infrastructural facilities for the forces on the ground after identifying the shortcomings.

The DG informed that the force received an overwhelming 1.13 lakh applications from the Naxal strongholds in seven states. These applicants were considered against 4,400 vacancies and their training has already begun.

“The people are fed up with the Naxals and want to join the CRPF to stamp them out,” Srivastava added. This year, the CRPF planned to raise another eight battalions (8,000 personnel) that would be largely deployed in the Naxal belts.

“Undoubtedly, all Naxal-infested areas would be secured by assisting the state police and a conducive atmosphere created for development programmes,” he added.

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PM’s trip to J-K: Army apprehends a suicide attack

June 6, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Army has sent messages warning of a suicide attack during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Jammu and Kashmir but they have been found to be unsubstantiated by the state police and central security agencies.

The Army establishment in the Valley had pressed panic buttons by claiming that Lashker-e-Taiba commander Abdullah Unni was planning to carry out a suicide attack during Singh’s visit starting tomorrow, official sources said.

Communications were sent to the state as well as the Centre for shifting of the venue of the Prime Minister’s official engagements to Cantonment area, a proposal rejected by the state government.

The state police and the central security agencies sought the coordinates of the intercept of the terrorists by the Army, but it turned it down citing operational reasons, the sources said.

The state police had sought the CD of the conversation between the terrorists to get a voice sample of Abdullah Unni which was also not provided by the Army, they said.

There were other intercepts the Army has claimed to have picked up from the border in North Kashmir but none of them could be corroborated independently by the state or central security agencies, the sources said.

During the last visit of Congress President Sonia Gandhi to the state, Army had picked up two engineers who were planning to visit secretariat for attending a meeting.

Army intelligence had earlier also provided an input about the World Badminton championship in Hyderabad, which was later found to be incorrect.

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UP move to wean away tribals from Maoists

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Lucknow, May 27 — In an attempt to wean away tribals from the influence of Maoists and gear up security in three-affected districts- Mirzapur, Sonebhadra and Chandauli- the state government has chalked out an elaborate action plan. The additional director general (law and) Brijlal would be on a tour of the affected region on May 26 and 27 to review the prevailing situation. Brijlal said both UP police/ PAC and CRPF had been deployed in the region to contain the menace. Brijlal told journalists in Lucknow on Tuesday that apart from reviewing the preparedness of the security forces, he would also take stock of community policing, which had yielded positive results in control the situation. In fact the state government is of the view that more than law and order problem the Naxal crisis is product of massive socio-economic disparity in the region. Chief Minister Mayawati also held the centre responsible for rising Naxal problems. Brijlal thus said that people’s involvement in controlling the situation had improved the situation. He said as a part of community policing the state police had also launched welfare schemes like organizing medical camps, distributing foodgrains, clothes, utensils and bicycles to the people. Brijlal said he would inspect all these works.

Mayawati said due to abject poverty, unemployment, lack of health and education facilities in Naxal affected areas, people felt ignored and they were forced to become the supporters of Naxalism. She said the faulty policies of centre and previous state governments were responsible for the growing menace of Naxalism.

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Miss Oklahoma lost Miss USA 2010 crown due to Arizona immigration law?

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New York, May 18 (ANI): It has emerged that Miss Oklahoma Morgan Elizabeth Woolard may have lost the coveted Miss USA 2010 title due to the Arizona immigration law.

Woolard had finished first runner-up to winner Rima Fakih of Michigan, and conspiracy theorists are grumbling that her support of SB 1070 may have cost her the crown.

According to Fox News, when “The Office” star Oscar Nunez posed Miss Oklahoma a question about where she stood on Arizona’s SB 1070, the crowd erupted in boos over the intrusion of politics.

“I’m a huge believer in states’ rights. I think that’s what’s so wonderful about America,” the New York Daily News quoted Woolard as saying of the law which requires state police to stop and question possible undocumented immigrants.

“So I think it’s perfectly fine for Arizona to create that law,” she had stated. (ANI)

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Coastal security beefed up in Kerala

May 16, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Kochi (Kerala), May 16 (ANI): The coastal security in Kerala has been increased with the state police inducting high-speed boats to patrol the shoreline and backwaters.

A fleet of around 47 boats along with a specially trained police team has been deployed for the purpose.

The 6.8-metre-long boats can be controlled by a remote device and seat up to six policemen.

A colourful regatta ceremony in the backwaters of Kochi district marked the launch of the new service.

“Backwater security is an integral part of coastal security as far as we are concerned. With that perception, we are trying to implement the scheme throughout the length of Kerala. High-speed boats patrol the waterways constantly so that any interlocutor or somebody, who has intercepted or somebody, who has escaped into the backwaters, we are able to chase him and we are able to catch him,” said Kerala Director-General of Police Jacob Punnoose.

“This will also ensure that along the waterways, which a large number of tourists and common people use, crime, which is becoming a problem will also be addressed by the police. These boats will be used in a consultant manner to prevent such activities,” he added.

Eight new coastal police stations are expected to be fully functional within the next three months in Kerala.

India has initiated several measures to beef security all along its over 7,500 kilometers long coast in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI)

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Dozens of wedding guests electrocuted

May 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

At least 28 people returning from a wedding were electrocuted when their bus hit a power cable in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, police said.

The accident occurred in the state’s remote Mandla district, 450 kilometres from state capital Bhopal, area police chief KK Sharma said.

“There was a metal almirah [cabinet] on top of the bus which came in contact with a high-voltage power cable, resulting in the electrocution of 28 of the wedding guests,” he said.

Most of the victims were women, he said, without giving any numbers. The United News of India agency said three children and 12 women were among those killed on the bus, which was carrying 32 people.

In a similar accident, 10 Hindus returning from a cremation were electrocuted when a live power cable fell on their bus in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

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Police will initiate action against Muthalik: Yeddyurappa

May 14, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore / Belgaum, May 14 (ANI): Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday assured the State Police would initiate appropriate action against Sri Ram Sene chief patron Pramod Muthalik, who was caught by rent-a-riot sting operation.

On Thursday evening, a private news channel aired video clippings of a sting operation where some Sene leaders spoke about organizing a riot in return for money.

Yeddyurappa also categorically said neither his party not his government has any relationship with Muthalik and his organization.

Interacting with media, Yeddyurappa said he had never interfered in such matters and police are free to take action.

“I don”t know anything about Muthalik. I read about him in the newspaper. Police will take appropriate decision at appropriate time. We don”t interfere in such matters. Police is there, and according to law, they will take action,” Yeddyurappa said.

He also denied that the expose would have any impact on his government.

Denying charges of being soft on Muthalik, Yeddyurappa pointed that the government had taken action against the Sene after church attack incident.

In Belgaum, hitting back at the news channel for its sting operation, Muthalik filed a report at the Camp Police Station in the city on Friday.

Addressing media after filing report, Muthalik asked for a detailed inquiry into the sting operation either by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Crime Investigation Department (CID).

He also alleged that the expose was an attempt to defame him and alleged criminal intimidation and extortion.

Muthalik said the rent-a-riot sting operation was part of a conspiracy to impose President”s rule in Karnataka.

He also denied of having any association with the BJP and the Karnataka Government.

He threatened to file a defamation suit.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Home Minister V.S. Acharya has asked the channel to submit unedited tapes of the sting operation to the state government.

Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh (RSS) leader Ram Madhav has denied any organizational link with Muthalik and said there is no place for violence in the RSS system. (ANI)

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Nirupama Pathak”s post-mortem report indicates murder: Jharkhand DGP

May 13, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Ranchi (Jharkhand), May 13 (ANI): Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Neyaz Ahmed on Thursday said that the post-mortem report and initial investigation of the murder of Delhi based journalist Nirupama Pathak indicates murder.

“The post-mortem report indicates murder and we are investigating on the same lines. We won”t work under anyone”s influence. We have kept all our options open and we will probe whatever point comes forward. We will handle the case justly,” said Ahmed.

The state police submitted their report of the investigation to Ahmed on Wednesday.

“The progress in the case so far is that Superintendent of Police (SP) has submitted the report of the investigation. Yesterday, I called on the SP, Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Inspector General (IG) Crime Investigation Department (CID) and others,” said Ahmed.

“We deliberated on every aspect of the case and went through all the angles of the case investigation,” he added.

Ahmed, however, did not disclose any details of the report.

Twenty-three-year-old Nirupama was found dead at her home in Koderma District in mysterious circumstances on April 29.

Her mother Sudha Pathak has been arrested in this connection, while the police have also filed a case of rape and abetment to suicide against her boyfriend Priyabhanshu Ranjan.

On May 9, Ranjan”s parents claimed to have mobile proof that could nail the complicity of Nirupama”s parents in what they say is murder.

In a startling claim, Ranjan”s father said he had Nirupama”s last SMS in which she said that she had been locked inside a bathroom and was not being allowed to go out.

He also said that a similar message had come from his son, who was in Delhi.

The revelation came after Koderma Police served notices to three doctors who had performed a post mortem on Nirupama.

The court directed the police to file a First Information Report (FIR) against Ranjan, following charges levelled by Nirupama”s arrested mother Sudha Pathak.

Nirupama”s mother has described her daughter”s death as a suicide case.

However, the post-mortem report revealed that Pathak died due to asphyxia as a result of smothering and that she was 10-12 weeks pregnant. (ANI)

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Massive combing operation launched in Orissa to nab Maoists

May 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Koraput (Orissa), May 11 (ANI): Security forces on Tuesday launched a massive combing operation in the Narayanpatna forest area of Orissa”s Koraput District to nab the ultras on the run.

Paramilitary forces along with the Orissa and Andhra Pradesh state police personnel, who conducted the combing operation, have installed check posts in the area and inspected every passing vehicle.

The residents here welcomed this move, as they appeared fed up with the Maoist menace.

“It is good that Border Security Force (BSF) is conducting the checking. It is only for our benefits, we too are scared of Maoists and are fed up with the violence. This checking will give us confidence,” said Chakra, a local.

A former police officer opined that the operation Green Hunt, launched by the Central Government to flush out the ultras, would succeed if local police provided help.

“Andhra government applied lot of pressure that is why top Maoist commanders are present in Malkangiri district and a few of them are present in Narayanpatna. If local police and its personnel help, the operation Green Hunt will be successful,” said K. M. Majhi, former police officer.

Thousands have been killed during the Maoist insurgency, which began in the late 1960s, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist threat one of the gravest homegrown threats to India”s internal security.

The rebels claim they are fighting for the rights of poor farmers and landless labourers.

They have spread into the rural pockets of 20 of India”s 28 states. (ANI)

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Rail traffic affected in three states due to Maoists shutdown call

April 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Apr 26 (ANI): Railway authorities on Monday either cancelled or diverted several trains and beefed up security in Jharkhand’s Dhanbad District due to a 48-hour shutdown call given by Maoists.

The Maoists have called for a 48-hour shutdown in three states–West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand demanding release of six Maoists who were arrested earlier.

Anand Sagar Upadhyay, Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) said that Palamau Express, Ranchi-New Delhi Garibrath and several other trains were cancelled.

He also said personnel of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and state police have been deployed at all important stations.

“The railways in coordination with the state government have deployed personnel of railway protection force (RPF) and state police officials at all our important stations,” Upadhyaya said.

“In view of the security threat, some trains have been cancelled, including the Palamau Express and the Ranchi Garibrath train, and some goods trains have been cancelled, and some have been diverted,” he added.

In the wake of shutdown call, the Railways had decided to restrict speed of all Rajdhani express trains moving in these areas, besides cancelling and diverting some other trains.

During these period, all the Rajdhani express trains passing through Bihar and Jharkhand will run at a restricted speed of 75 kilometers per hour (Kmph) during night hours instead of their original speed of 110-120 kmph. (ANI)

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Bangalore Blast: Home Ministry expresses unhappiness with Karnataka Police

April 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment

New Delhi, Apr 19 (ANI): Union Home Ministry on Monday expressed its unhappiness with Karnataka Police for not taking proper security measures during the Bangalore IPL match.

At least 17 people were wounded when two bombs exploded on Saturday, which caused an hour”s delay in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Home Ministry sources also expressed shock over a State Police decision to go ahead with the match even after the explosion and asked the state Police to submit a report on this.

The ministry suspects the involvement of Yasin Bhatkal of the Indian Mujahiddin (IM), who was also behind the Pune blast.

Sources suspect that Bhatkal might have fled to Dubai after the Pune incident.

On Sunday, the Bnagalore Police defused three bombs near the Stadium.

The first one around 100 meters from the stadium and the second one near the Gandhi statue at M G Road.

A third explosive was defused near Gate Number One of the stadium.

Sources said bombers had time placed the devices behind a flex board.

Roughly 20,000 people were packed into the stadium and hundreds more were streaming in when a loud explosion at Gate Number 12 rattled nearby buildings.

The first explosion occurred at 3:15 p.m., and the second, 20 minutes later. The explosives were found in bushes.

Preliminary forensic investigation revealed that the explosive was an ammonium nitro glycerine gelatin stick. It was detonated with the help of a microchip timer.

On Sunday, the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) shifted both semi finals from Bangalore to Navi Mumbai. (ANI)

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Nigerian kidnappers free 4 foreign workers – police

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, April 14 (Reuters) – Nigerian kidnappers released four Syrian and Lebanese construction workers, five days after they were taken near the oil hub Port Harcourt, a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

“The four expatriate construction workers kidnapped on April 9 have been released by their captors,” said Rita Inoma Abbey, spokeswoman for Rivers state police.

She said it was not clear whether a ransom was paid for the release of the workers, three Syrians and a Lebanese national.

Kidnappings for ransom are common in the oil-producing Niger Delta with hundreds of incidents reported each year. Most are released unharmed after a couple of days. (Reporting by Austin Ekeinde; Writing by Randy Fabi)

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Nigerian kidnappers free 4 foreign workers – police

April 15, 2010 By Leave a Comment

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria, April 14 (Reuters) – Nigerian kidnappers released three Syrian construction workers and one Lebanese, five days after they were taken near the oil hub Port Harcourt, a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday.

“The four expatriate construction workers kidnapped on April 9 have been released by their captors,” said Rita Inoma Abbey, spokeswoman for Rivers state police. (Reporting by Austin Ekeinde; Writing by Randy Fabi)

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Tainted godman resigns as ”Dhyanapeetam Ashram” head

March 30, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Bangalore, Mar 30 (ANI): Self-proclaimed godman Swami Nityananda, who was reportedly under the scanner ever since a video of him in a compromising position with Tamil actress Ranjitha surfaced, on Tuesday announced his decision to step down as the chief of the ”Dhyanapeetam Ashram” and all other trusts associated with it.

Addressing his followers on his official website, Nityananda said, “I have decided to live a life of spiritual seclusion, for some indefinite time and to enable the Dhyanapeetam to function with such amended agenda as may be necessary.”

“I am resigning as the head of the Dhyanapeetam and from all the trusts associated with it,” he added.

Swami Nityananda, who is facing criminal cases including that of rape further said, “In view of the developments in the last three weeks following the media reports about me as the head of Dhyanapeetam, I had met some of the leading acharyas of Hindu Dharma at Haridwar Kumbh Mela,” adding that he had briefed them about the truth.

“Candidly discussing what had happened, I had sought their spiritual and moral support, guidance for me, and their views on the future course of Dhyanapeetam. I had also undertaken that I would act entirely in accordance with their counsel,” he claimed.

The Karnataka High Court has turned down the godman”s bail plea for anticipatory bail.

The court had on March 24 ordered the state police to produce all documents relating to the cases filed against Swami Nithyananda, who is facing allegations of involvement in a sex scandal.

Following a petition by the swami seeking to quash the cases, justice Arali Nagaraj issued a notice to the Bidadi police, directing them to produce all documents and records concerning the various criminal cases, including rape, registered against the godman.

The swami had filed a writ petition in the high court, challenging the first information report (FIR) registered against him by the Bidadi police. Besides asking the court to quash the FIR, he had also sought a stay on all the other proceedings against him. Nithyananda had contended that as per the provisions of the law, only the sufferers could file complaints, and not a third party.

The petition contended that Karuppa Lenin, a former disciple and driver of the swami, had conspired to defame the religious institution by levelling charges against him.

The Chennai police had lodged various cases against the godman, including rape, under the Indian Penal Code after Lenin filed a complaint against him on March 3. The Ramanagaram police had, in turn, handed over the case to the CID.

In his petition, Nithyanananda submitted that prima facie, no complaint had been filed by any victim or aggrieved person and Lenin”s complaint was governed by an ulterior motive. It was unfortunate that an act aimed at assassinating the character of the swami had been glorified by the media, it added. (ANI)

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Thirty-six injured in Hyderabad communal clash

March 29, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Hyderabad, Mar 29 (ANI): At least 36 people were reportedly injured in a clash that took place between two communities in Hyderabad.

The Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the state police were deployed in Moosa Bowli, Hussaini Alam, Purana Pul, Begum Bazar, and nearby areas to restore peace following incidents of stone-pelting and assault on religious places, houses, shops and vehicles.

Several vehicles were either set ablaze or damaged by the rioters.
Police Commissioner A K Khan said a number of people have been taken into custody for interrogation.

“Quite a few suspects have been taken into custody earlier, few trouble makers for their involvement in the cases and few on suspicion. They are under interrogation now,” said Khan.

“We will have to see whether there was any design or a plan behind all this or otherwise. About 35-36 people are reported to be injured,” added Khan.

Panic has spread among the Hyderabad residents, who did not venture out of their homes.

“People are worried. It is become difficult for us to come out of our homes. There is fear and panic among people. People are facing problems walking around the city,” said Waseem, a local resident.

Prohibitory orders were clamped in 18 police stations of south zone and four police stations of Goshamahal division of west zone of the city.

Strife started in Moosa Bowli area when the majority community reportedly removed green flags installed by members of the other community and installed saffron ones, instead, during a recent festival.

The heated exchanges snowballed into clashes between the two groups.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that additional forces, including nearly 1000 paramilitary personnel were being deployed to restore peace in the trouble-hit areas. (ANI)

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Police undeterred by militant threats: J-K police chief

March 26, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Jammu/Doda (Jammu and Kashmir), Mar 26 (ANI): In response to bills issued by the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) threatening local cops if they don”t quit their jobs, Jammu and Kashmir”s Director General of Police (DGP), Kuldeep Khuda, has said the state police is undeterred by the threats and would continue its frontal role in countering terrorism.

Khuda also said the threats were not a new phenomenon.

“We used to receive these kind of threats, of all types, in the past as well and Jammu and Kashmir Police, which is at the forefront and is playing a frontline role on anti-militancy front, will continue to do so and these threats have no meaning for us,” said Khuda.

Lashkar District Commander Gul Mohammad alias Molvi had issued the bills in the Sazaan area of Doda district. (ANI)

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Three special force personnel killed in anti-Naxal operations in Orissa

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Paralakhemundi, (Orissa), Mar 24 (ANI): At least three security personnel were killed and six others injured in a fierce gun battle between Maoists and state police in Orissa”s Gajapati district on Wednesday.

According to Police, the condition of four of the injured is critical.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of security personnel including the elite anti-Naxal Orissa Special Operation Group (SOG) had launched a combing operation in Ambajari forest in the district in the wee hours of Wednesday.

The forest area is barely five kilometers from the district headquarters.

A group of Maoists suddenly opened fired at security personnel who retaliated. In the exchange of fire, three SOG personnel were killed and six were injured, police said.

The injured personnel were shifted to Vishakhapatnam for additional treatment by expert doctors.

Police said the dead were identified as Sanjeet K Tirkey, Balram Pradhan and Deepak Sonbhoy. Information of casualty from the Maoist side is not yet available.

Meanwhile, the security personnel have launched a massive hunt operation in and around the area.

In another incident in the State, the Maoists blew up a pump house and control room near the pipeline of a private industrial house in n Malkangiri District.

The pipe line was meant for movement of minerals.

According to police, over 50-armed Naxals raided the area and triggered explosion after assaulting the guards present at the site.

In yet another attempt to disturb the rail transport in the state the Naxals triggered two explosions on the Mumbai-Howrah route late on Tuesday evening. (ANI)

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Police crack two-state, NT cannabis network

March 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Police say they have dismantled a major cannabis distribution ring in the remote Aboriginal communities of South Australia, the Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Port Augusta police in SA say there was an 18-month investigation.

It is alleged the drug was being sent from Adelaide via Mintabie.

Seven men and a woman between 39 and 56 have been arrested at Mintabie, Andamooka, Adelaide and Callington in SA.

Superintendent James Blandford says dismantling the drug ring will significantly curb the availability of cannabis in the remote region.

“[There was] a significant amount of cannabis to the central desert region, particularly the APY Lands, but also the remote communities in Western Australia and the Northern Territory,” he said.

Police say they seized four kilograms of dried cannabis and $11,000 in cash.

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Maoists suspected to be gaining ground in Gujarat

March 22, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Gandhinagar, Mar 22 (ANI): Gujarat Police suspect that Maoists are slowly gaining ground in the State.

Gujarat, which is one of the states in the country having a large tribal population, has so far remained unaffected from the Naxal menace.

Police suspect that a recent arrest of a Maoist leader from Surat and spurt in Naxal meetings, secret movement of the ultras in the State and distribution of leaflets asking people to join the armed movement indicate that Naxals are trying to spread their network in the State.

Police have arrested Niranjan Mohapatra, a resident of Orissa, from Surat last week for suspected Naxal activities.

According to sources, the Naxal are targeting migrant labourers who come to the State in large numbers in search of jobs from Naxal affected States of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and other areas, as their potential cadres.

Gujarat Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Sudhir Sinha the Maoists are using Gujarat as place to recruit potential cadres from the large number of migrant population, especially in Surat and collect funds for their movement.

“CPI-Maoist cadres are brainwashing potential migrant recruits and are sending them back to the State of their origin to work there,” Sinha said.

However, Police claim that Naxals have failed in gaining acceptance among local population so far.

“Their attempts to gain popularity among tribal population of the south Gujarat district of Dangs also have not obtained good results so far,” Sinha added.

Compared to Naxal affected states Gujarat has good infrastructure like roads in tribal areas and better living condition.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Police is compiling various interrogation reports of Maoists activists arrested in other states and also examining various documents being distributed by them in the tribal belt of south Gujarat. (ANI)

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