Two more ANF camps opened in Chikmagalur

He told Deccan Herald that though police could not eliminate naxals completely, it could check their activities and the growth. “The activities of naxals have been neutralised only because of the frequent operations of ANF and police,” he added.

Naxals are now striving for food, since people in Malenadu do not support them, Nagaraj said. Those young men and women, who joined the naxal group, are in a dilemma as they are unable to return to their homes. They are now forced to stay in the forest, he added.
Currently, three naxal groups’ presence is there in the region and they meet at hidden places when required, he said. Police Department is not sitting quiet. But at the same time, it is continuing its operations against naxals, he added.

Brushing aside the allegations of police torturing innocent villagers in Menasinahadya, Nagaraj said “it is far from truth. Police do not torture innocents. Villagers themselves had expressed their ire against naxals in the public meeting organised by the police.” 

He requested villagers to inform police about naxal activities. Reward will be given to those who pass on information on naxals, he said adding that the names of informers will be kept as a secret.