One killed in Maoist - police encounter in Kerala

One person, suspected to be a left-wing extremist, was killed in an encounter with the police at Vythiri in the Wayanad district in North Kerala on Wednesday night.

The police suspect that the deceased was Maoist activist C P Jaleel.

Two policemen reportedly suffered minor injuries in an exchange of fire between the police and the alleged Maoists that lasted several hours.

According to local sources, four members suspected to be of a Maoist group reached the Upavan resort at Vythiri, near the Kozhikode-Kollegal NH 766, around 9 pm.

Vythiri is where you enter Wayanad district from Kozhikode.

After the four demanded food and money, some employees of the resort managed to inform the police.

A patrolling police team immediately reached the spot, while the Thunderbolt commando team of the Kerala Police rushed there.

After hours of exchange of fire, the four ran into a nearby forest area. One of them was found dead by early morning during a search in the area.

The traffic along the national highway was restricted for several hours.

Top police officers have rushed to the spot to evaluate the situation. A tight vigil is being maintained in the locality as there is a possibility of retaliation. Vehicles along the national highway are being checked thoroughly.

While police sources said the identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed, they have suspicions that it may be Jaleel.

Jaleel is suspected to be part of an encounter between the police and the Maoists in the Nilambur forest area in Malappuram district on November 24, 2016.

While two Maoists, Kuppu Devaraj and Ajitha, were killed in that encounter, there were allegations that Jaleel had gone missing after it.