Karnataka Timeline 2015

Date

Incidents

Karnataka State Government is actively pursuing the release of the surrendered Naxalite-Noor Zulfikar.

Pro-CPI-Maoist banners and graffiti asking people to fight against Kasturirangan report on Western Ghats and protect the forest ranges appeared in Shedimane village of Kundapur in Udupi District.

A former Maoist cadre identified as Noor Zulfikar who was remanded in judicial custody after he returned to the mainstream on December 9, 2014 was released on bail in Chikkamagaluru District.

The UMHA has moved a Cabinet note seeking approval for its new counter- LWE doctrine, which envisages inclusion of additional districts on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu-Karnataka junction under the SRE and seeks control of the IAP scheme hitherto administered by the Planning Commission. The new counter-LWE plan proposes upgrading of SRE scheme to cover at least half a dozen new districts located in the Kerala-Tamil Nadu-Karnataka axis, besides pitching for autonomy to the UMHA to make changes to the list of SRE items (this now requires Cabinet approval). This comes amid concerns over growing CPI-Maoist influence in south India, particularly in certain Districts in North Kerala.

Vittala Malekudiya and his father, Linganna Malekudiya, have been charged by the Police of having links with CPI-Maoist. The first hearing on the case - after the Police filed a charge sheet before the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Belthangady of Karnataka, on January 30 - was on April 29. Vittala, a journalism degree holder, and his father were arrested on March 3, 2012 from their house at Kuthlur village in Kudremukh National Park. The Police accused Vittala of holding meetings in Kuthlur and distributing pamphlets issued by Maoists. The Police have charged the two under Section 10 and 13 (3) of the UAPA and Sections 120 and 120 (b) of the IPC.

Karnataka Home Minister K J George claimed that the Naxal movement was restricted to just a few pockets in the State (Karnataka). The State Government would continue with the Naxal rehabilitation package, he told reporters. He also appealed to Naxals to join the mainstream of society as the State Government would act tough against anyone trying to disrupt law and order. He said "Compared to other states, Maoist activities in the state (Karnataka) are very minimal." He added, "Barring one or two stray incidents, no major naxal-related violence has been reported in the state in the last two years."

Replying to questions, he said the Chikmagalur deputy commissioner has come to the conclusion that the killing of cattle trader Kabeer (on April 19, 2014) by ANF personnel last year was a case of mistaken identity. George said the department has directed ANF personnel to exercise extreme restraint in tackling such situations in future.

On the large number of vacancies of constable posts in the State, George said the recruitment process of over 8,500 policemen is on. "We have appealed to the chief minister to grant permission to fill another 8,500 vacant posts of constables," he said.

Vittala Malekudiya, who has been charge sheeted by Dakshina Kannada District Police as an alleged CPI-Maoist sympathiser, is all set to contest in the gram panchayat elections to be held on May 29.

The Police have intensified combing operations in CPI-Maoist-affected areas of the Dakshina Kannada District where Gram Panchayat elections will be held on May 29. Polling will take place in 227 gram panchayats of which 65 are in Maoist-affected areas. "We are conducting area-domination exercises to infuse confidence among residents," said SP Sharanappa S.D.

The Karnataka State Cabinet has decided to constitute three anti-Naxal squads on the State borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to check LWE activities.

There is no Naxal activity in Uttara Kannada District, said Inspector General of Police (IGP), Western Region, Amratpal. The LWEs tried to enter the District but they could not find any help, he added.

Karnataka Police arrested a Kerala-based businessman, identified as Biju TK, in Udupi District for allegedly supplying explosive materials to CPI-Maoist. The Police recovered more than 50 kg of ammonium nitrate from his farm house in Durga Tellaur near Karkala.