Clash reported between Maoists and police in Wayanad; search is underway in region

WAYANAD: A clash broke out between the Maoists and the Kerala Thunderbolts at Thalappuzha in Kambanmala in Wayanad on Tuesday morning. The clash took place while the officials of the Thunderbolts were conducting a search in the region. Nine rounds of shots were fired. On the morning of the grand finale of the election campaigns, two Maoists led by CP Moideen had arrived at the area and urged the people to boycott the polls. Following this, the Thunderbolts had intensified the search in the area.

However, the officials were not able to carry out the search effectively because of the elections. In the meantime, the Thunderbolts received a confirmation that Maoists were present in this region. Following this, a search was initiated yesterday night. This search resulted in the clash.

Four people led by CP Moideen had arrived in the area last Wednesday morning. Two of them were armed. They asked the local people to boycott the election saying that there was no point in voting in the election. However, after having a verbal dispute with the locals, the group returned to the forest.