NILAMBUR: The Nilambur forests are fast turning a haven for Maoists and other extremist organisations, according to the latest intelligence reports. The police and forest officials have started combing operations to smoke them out from the forest areas of Vazhikadavu and Karulayi bordering Tamil Nadu where they are said to be camping. Nilambur forests are considered as a sensitive area where extremists thrive. This belief has been strengthened by the attempt to sabotage a train in Nilambur by cutting the brake pipe two years ago. “The adivasi colonies in the area are havens for such organisations. Most of them are alienated from outside society. So we have to take the report about the Maoist presence seriously,” Malappuram District Police Chief K Sethuraman told ‘Express.’ Thirteen teams comprising 16 members each are deployed for the search. Each team will have six armed police and forest officials. Guides and forest watchers are also in the team. They will remain in the forest for five days and collect the details. The teams will identify the places with the help of Global Positioning System.“The search operations have started and the first team will return on Tuesday. Nothing suspicious was found till Monday evening,” District Forest Officer, Nilambur south, said. Five teams each are deployed in Vazhikadavu and Karulayi and two teams in Kalikavu range, near Silent-valley. The search is also being made to locate ganja plants being cultivated by Maoists for financial benefits. It will be started at Chooralmala, Vellarimala, Thottappally and Mele Thottappaly on Tuesday.
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