JOIN USNaxals call for Martys' Week in Malnad
The Mattavu bomb blast incident that shook the entire State is completing four years. In the meantime, the Naxal activities are continuously on an increase in the Malnad region.
It was on July 28, 2005, Naxalites attacked on a police jeep at Mattavru. Mattavru is situated on the way to Hebri via Kabbinale route.
However, police had a narrow escape from the possible tragedy. They had retaliated but the attackers had already fled. The police vehicle bore extensive damages.
Apprehension
Naxals have already announced that they will celebrate ‘martyrs week’ from July 28 to August 3 which has caused anxiety among the public. As a step to instill confidence among the people, local police and ANF personnel have started rigorous combing operations in the area. Home Minister Dr V S Acharya has recently instructed to deploy additional police force in the Naxal-infested areas.
Though no serious incidents occurred in Hebri surroundings after the Mattavu incident, such incidents are taking place in other places in the Malnad area frequently.
After the Naxalites attacked Seethanadi Bhoja Shetty’s house, no Naxal activities have taken place in the region. It was on the eve of the Assembly elections in the State, on May 15, 2008, Naxals murdered Shetty. And now, Naxals have announced ‘martyrs week’. There were also reports on Naxal movements in the area on July 11.Even after four years of the Mattavu incident, development is still a dream for Kabbinale villagers. Kabbinale coming under Mudradi Gram Panchayat in Karkala taluk is of 2,615.12 hectare area with 1,300 population.
Taluk Panchayat member Manujath Poojary representing Mudradi said development programmes could not be carried out in the area due to the strict regulations of the forest department. The Naxal Package could not be utilised because of the same reason.
A delegation of 7-tribal families had met former prime minister H D Deve Gowda soon after the Mattav incident and explained their miseries. Gowda had assured them of a helping hand. However, nothing happened thereafter.
Despite this, Mudradi GP tried its level best to develop Mattavu. The villagers got houses under Ashraya, Indira Awas schemes, solar electricity, agriculture equipment and the like. A sum of Rs 30 lakh has been released to Mudradi GP from 2006 to 2008 under the Naxal package, using which Nirani and Balladi roads have been developed. The village still has a lot of unfulfilled demands. It needs a government school, hostel, electricity connection to Mattavu, Mundani, Mudsalu, Parikallu, Beerabettu areas, bridges for Jeddugulelu and Balchar, and good roads. If any person falls sick here, then he should be carried on shoulder for many kilometres.