DGP T. K. Rajendran on Sunday made a surprise visit to Anaikatti on the Tamil Nadu – Kerala border to check the preparedness of the Special Task Force (STF) involved in anti-Naxal operations there. He also visited tribal settlements and interacted with the residents there.
The visit of the State police chief in the border area, along with STF officials, becomes significant as November 24 is the first anniversary of the Maoist encounter in Nilambur, Kerala, in which three operatives were killed.
In April this year, the State Government had closed down a TASMAC outlet at Aniakatti after Maoists put up posters demanding its closure. The posters had also advocated villagers to join People’s Liberation Guerilla Army.
Mr.Rajendran, who had come to Coimbatore on Saturday to conduct the grievance redress meeting for police personnel, visited the boarder areas on Sunday morning. He reached the Mangarai police check post around 9.30 a.m. and interacted with the policemen on duty there. The official reviewed the operation of the check post and gave suggestions to improve surveillance.
After inspecting the check post Mr. Rajendran and other officials visited the STF camp and reviewed the preparation and motivational level of the STF members. He heard grievances of the STF men and joined them for the lunch. Officials said that the DGP was satisfied with the preparations of the STF. They added that DGP also visited tribal settlement of Dhumanur and Sembukarai.
Mr. Rajendran asked STF members to have close association with local people to improve its intelligence network.
He was accompanied by ADGP (STF) Sandeep Rai Rathore, west zone IG A. Paari, Coimbatore District (Rural) SP Pa. Moorthy among other officers. The official also held a review meeting with police commissioners of Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur city police and SPs of eight districts of the west zone.
