Kannur: A state minister has proposed providing government jobs to tribals in a bid to keep them away from Maoist activists.
A K Balan, minister in charge of law, culture and the welfare of backward classes, was responding to reports of a demonstration staged by a group of extremists at Ambayathode, Kottiyur. The district police chief had confirmed that the group, carrying guns, were indeed Maoists.
“At least one person in every tribal family should be employed by the government so that they would remain committed to the government and the society,” he said.
“They would then protect the interests of the government and oppose anti-government acts. This is a psychological approach.”
Balan said he had talked to the chief secretary about it and promised a special plan.
Ten extremists appear
A report from Kottiyur said a woman was among the four Maoists, armed with guns, who staged a demonstration in Ambayathode in the panchayat.
There were 10 in the group, eyewitnesses said, and added that six of them had located themselves at various places nearby.
The group also distributed Maoist literature and pasted up posters. It was not clear as to where they came from, but they vanished into the Kottiyur wildlife reserve, which is hardly 50 metres away.
The Maoists wore black costumes and headbands, and visited shops to distribute 'Kattuthee,' the bulletin of the Kabani chapter of Maoists.
Local people said the group talked in Malayalam.
Kannur district police chief Shiva Vikram said the group has been identified as Maoists. “The anti-Naxal squad and Thunderbolt teams have already launched a search for them in the wildlife reserve,” he said.
