Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)

Shimoga, Jul 16: The menace of Naxalism appears to haunt the people of the Western Ghats of Karnataka. A few days ago, police have killed a few alleged Naxals in an encounter at Menasinahadya in Chikmagalur district. In another development, alleged  Naxals have looted some houses.They are also reported to have vented their anguish against the BJP followers here.

The incident has occurred at Tallurangady, lies between Agumbe-Koppa state highway, in Tirthahalli Taluk   Suspected Naxals robbed 60 sovereign gold and cash Rs 1.09 lacs from the houses of Nagesh, Umesh, Shankarappa and Satish Madivala.

Sources said that the area chosen by Naxals was dominated by BJP supporters. The Naxalites also removed the lotus flag which was hoisted in the household of Umesh and abused him for supporting local MLA Jnanendra, who belongs to BJP. The residents here recently formed an anti-Naxal committee to fight against Naxals. Incidentally, the Naxals targeted the same area to wreak revenge against them.

A total of 9 alleged Naxals, including 3 women, were in the group that robbed the houses here. They wore black masks, sources informed. However it is not clear if  they walked the distance till their village or they arrived in a vehicle.  It may be recalled here that a few days earlier, a gang, suspected to be Naxals, had burnt a KSRTC bus in the same village.