Maoist training centre opened in state with anniversary of Nilambur encounter coming up

THRISSUR: With the seventh anniversary of the Nilambur Maoist encounter coming up on November 24, an armed training centre of Maoists has reportedly been opened in the state. Although the place is not clear, the information is that the training is under the leadership of the central committee members. The report about the training has come out after the police arrested two Maoists in Wayanad last Tuesday.

On November 24, 2016, Maoist leaders Ajitha and Kupu Devaraj were killed in an encounter with police Thunderbolt commandos in the Karulayi range of Nilambur forest. Within days after that, the Maoists had conducted armed training. A video of the same was also released. The Maoists still allege that Ajitha and Kupu Devaraj's death was in a fake encounter.

The police are looking forward to see whether the Maoists will take retaliatory measures on the occasion of the anniversary.

It is also reported that there is a move to strengthen the Maoist organization centered in Wayanad. It is known that they are getting help from local people. Those arrested in Wayanad belong to the Kabani Dal. Armed training is meant to strengthen the function of the other Dals as well. Of the Shiruvani, Kabani, Banasura, Nadukani and Bhavani Dals, only Kabani Dal is active at present.

It is also known that some people have been assigned to pay more attention to urban areas. Activities aimed at Kerala are coordinated from Tamil Nadu. The Maoists are trying to gain strength in places like Kerala at a time when the organization has declined in other states.