THALAPPUZHA(WAYANAD): Maoist presence again in Kambamala of Thavinjal panchayat. The five-member group arrived at Kambamala yesterday while Thunderbolt and the police were scouring the forest. The group arrived around 6 pm and created a terror atmosphere.

A surveillance camera installed by the police near the estate where the workers live was vandalized. There was a dispute with the locals. They stayed in the location for twenty minutes. Last Thursday, the government-controlled Kambamala KFDC office was vandalized by Maoists in broad daylight. After that, a large police force was stationed at the place. Maoists came to the area again on Sunday and yesterday after bypassing the police. Kambamala is just a few kilometres away from Thalappuzha Police Station. Five people were charged with UAPA for vandalizing the forest department office.

A five-member Maoist team reached the houses of Johnny and Sabu near Thalappuzha on Sunday night. The police concluded that the group that destroyed the KFDC office in Kambamala were the ones who came here as well. The violence in Kambamala a few days ago was committed by a group led by CP Moiteen, Vimankumar and Santhosh. The team first reached Sabu's house on Sunday. They reached Johnny's house after collecting food from there. The group was here from 7.45 pm to 10.30 pm and charged their mobile phones and laptops. They collected newspaper cuttings of the day the news broke regarding the Kambamala attack. They talked to Johnny about the plight of workers in Kambamala and returned after drinking tea.

As soon as the incident came to light, Mananthavady DySP PL Shaiju led the police and searched the place, but no one was found. Doubts have also been raised about whether the Maoists are appearing openly with the aim of clashing with the police.