Suspected Maoist group arrives at Kerala hill resort, sends statement to media

Wayanad: A group of armed suspected Maoists on Wednesday arrived at a private resort in Kerala’s Wayanad, and sent a statement to the media regarding issues faced by estate workers from the resort manager's mobile phone.

According to the police, the incident occurred at a resort in Makkimala under the jurisdiction of Thalappuzha police station at approximately 6:40 p.m. on Wednesday.

The ultras, six in number, allegedly insisted on obtaining the mobile phone from the hotel staff, subsequently instructing him to forward a copy of their press statement to specified journalists whose contact details they provided.

The statement that called for a joint protest of workers for their rights, was issued by a person claiming to be the spokesperson of the Kabani Area Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).

A total of 23 journalists throughout the state received the statement from the group.

The group did not issue any threats or create panic within the resort. They left the premises after successfully sending the message to journalists.

"As per the information we received, all of them possessed sophisticated weapons, including AK-47s," a state intelligence official said.

A case has been registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the Arms Act in connection with this incident, the intelligence official said.

Recently, there have been reports of suspected Maoist presence in various forest-fringe hamlets within this northern Kerala district.

With inputs from PTI