Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Security up in Dharmapuri district



Wednesday September 12 2007 10:42 IST

M Sankararamanujam

DHARMAPURI: To prevent any untoward incidents on account of former naxal leader Balan's 27th death anniversary on September 12, the police have tightened security in Dharmapuri district.

The former naxalite R Balan of Naickenkottai village in Dharmapuri was killed in an encounter at Seriyampatti in Palacode taluk on September 12, 1980.

Followers of Balan and the People's War Group (PWG) activists erected a statue after his death in Naickenkottai village, where every year naxalites and their supporters observe his anniversary by hoisting the naxal flag.

Activists also circulate handbills bearing messages against the police and the government on this day.

At present, naxal supporters are opposing the nuclear deal with the United States of America using posters to spread the word across the district.

These posters bear messages condemning the Left's support to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government and demanding that the ban on Maoists be lifted.

Police in the Dharmapuri district see chances for trouble as the nuclear deal is a burning issue at present and now with Balan's death anniversary, there may be added fervour to naxalites' activities. Police stations at Marandahalli, Panchappalli, Palacode, Karimangalam, Pennagaram, Eriyur, Hogenakkal, Mathikonpalayam and Adhiyamankottai have been deployed with additional forces.

According to sources, the police are also watching all naxal supporters keenly and have appealed to the villagers to inform the nearest police station or the striking forces on patrol about any untoward incidents.

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