Maoists resort to arson in South Kannada district

Maoists made their presence felt in Karnataka when they burnt the car of a gram panchayat member in Kuthlur village, on the fringes of Kudremukh National Park in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said the arson was in protest against what they termed as forcible eviction of tribals from the park area.

It was said a group of 15 Maoists went to the house of Ramachandran Bhat, shouted slogans and then set his van ablaze.

According to Inspector General of Police (Western Range), Prathap Reddy, Mr. Bhat was one among the few activists who was trying to convince people in National Park area for rehabilitation package of the State Government.

Unable to meet Mr. Bhat, Maoists shouted slogans him and set ablaze to his van which was parked outside, Mr. Reddy said.

Mr. Reddy said investigation was on to find the group involved. “We have indication of the group that has come here,” he said.

Anti-Naxal Force teams led by Commander Seemanth Kumar Singh have started combing operations, Mr. Reddy said.