Kalpetta (Wayanad): Reminding Keralites that the highly literate state is still vulnerable to Chhattisgarh-like Maoist attacks, a group of extremists on Wednesday night raided a luxury resort at Lakkidi near Vythiri on Kozhikode-Bengaluru national highway in Wayanad district.
The gun-wielding gang of four stormed into Upavan resort at 8pm and asked for money and food which the staff refused to part with following which the Maoists took a few guests as hostages. Soon, the staff called police and an encounter ensued resulting in the death of a Maoist.
Kerala police's Thunderbolts wing, a team of cops picked up to fight Maoists in the region, also took part in the shootout.
Two cops and a Maoist were also injured in the shootout. The deceased was identified as Maoist leader CP Jaleel of Pandikkad in Malappuram.
The four-member group had approached the owner of the resort in an extortion bid on Wednesday night. According to sources, the gang wanted Rs 50,000 and food for 10 people. The police said they were forced to open fire as a defensive measure. The entire area was cordoned. Two of the gang fled the spot amid gunfire. More commandos and police officers were rushed to the area. The shootout ended early Thursday morning.
Jaleel was targetted?
Jaleel's body would be taken to Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, for autopsy after completing inquest procedures.
Jaleel's elder brother and human rights activist C P Rasheed alleged that the Thunderbolts team targeted and killed his brother.
Combing operation is under way to nab rest of the gang members. Manorama News has accessed CCTV images of the masked men entering the resort. One of them was seen holding a gun and a bag.
The resort and premises were sealed and entry is restricted for public. Around 15 people in eight rooms were at the resort at the time of the attack. The staff and guests are safe.
Kerala Thunderbolts is an elite command force of the Kerala Police under the India Reserve Battalion.
Tension in Wayanad
Tension prevailed around the resort and the police shifted people in nearby restaurants and resorts to safety.
Traffic along the highway was temporarily blocked as the encounter continued inside the resort late into the night. The power supply to the area was cut. Security was also provided to other hotels and resorts in the locality. The police also directed the residents to stay indoors.
Maoists used to approach secluded houses for food and discussed political propaganda earlier. Recently, a few of them were seen with guns in Wayanad district. But even the police did not anticipate such an attack.
Maoist presence was reported at Sugandhagiri and Petukunnu in the district. Maoists have been frequently visiting Thamarassery, Kodancheri and Thiruvambadi recently.
According to police, the Lakkidi attack is a protest against the setting up of a new police outpost in Sugandhagiri.
