IB secret report warns of Naxal resurgence in State

In an attempt to revive red terror, top Naxal leaders have entrusted Central Committee Member Kuppu Swami to recruit more cadres in Chikmagalur, Shimoga and Kodagu districts of Karnataka.

An Intelligence Bureau secret report accessed by the Express reveals that Maoists have been making serious efforts to re-establish naxal presence in Karnataka.  The 56-year-old Kuppu Swami alias Rayanna, is in charge of South-West Regional Bureau. A resident of 10, Vannarpet, Bangalore, Kuppu Swami carries a reward of Rs 19 lakh declared by the Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh governments. He is said to be preparing small armed groups of guerrilla cadres to strengthen the recruitment drive in Sringeri, Jayapura of Chikmagalur district and Agumbe in Shimoga. IB also said that his arrest will have a major impact in negating the growing left wing extremism problem in Karnataka which is seen as a gateway to expand the base in other southern states.

“The local administration may be directed to address issues on which Naxalites are seeking to build a mass base,” it said.

The IB report also points out the large arms haul by the local police including electric detonators and grenades to indicate future plans of the ultras.

“During the first half of the last decade, the erstwhile CPML-PW had made considerable inroads in Malnad area of Karnataka, comprising hilly terrain covered with thick forests and fast flowing streams, with a view to developing Western Ghats region as a major base for the party. Of late, Maoists has been making determined efforts to establish their presence in the area,” IB said.

Karnataka has been alerted by the Centre after the sleuths received information regarding movement of Maoists cadres in Hebri and Ajekar of Udipi district. In fact a social investigation literature of Maoists talks about developing western zones which pass through Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra as a guerrilla zone. It indicates strategic significance of Western Ghats for people’s war as it runs through deep mountainous terrain.