Lack of suitable environment for their activities around Kudremukh and increased combing operations by the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) are driving Naxalites towards other ‘safer’ forests in the State.
Once active around Kudremukh, Karkala, Sringeri and Belthangady, the ultras are now moving towards the Malnad area. The main reason behind this, according to the ANF, is the difficult terrain and the intensified operations by security forces, which has unearthed half-a-dozen Naxal camps this year.
The commander of the ANF, Mr Alok Kumar, said the force anticipated this shift. “The Bisile Ghat was the only way for the Naxal groups since operations around Kudremukh were intensified early this year. In the last six months, we have been undertaking night-long combing operations in the deep forests. This has helped keep Naxal activities under control. Moreover, with heavy rainfall and lack of support from locals, the Naxals are moving out of Kudremukh,” Mr Kumar said.
A wildlife expert confirmed that Naxal groups are not getting any support from the forest dwellers and villagers around the Kudremukh National Park. “It’s difficult to operate around Kudremukh due to the tough terrain and extreme weather conditions. Besides, the ANF and even the forest department have taken up regular patrolling. The Naxals are also losing support from forest dwellers since a majority of them are willing to move out of the forests due to lack of basic facilities,” said the expert.
The Forest department has taken note of Naxal movement in Hassan. “We have asked our staff to be alert and continue with their routine jobs. We are experts in managing forests and fighting poachers and we have instructed forest dweller to alert us about Naxal movement inside the forests of Malnad,” said a senior forest officer.