TN had information on Maoist movement along its border

Tamil Nadu had specific intelligence on the movement of Maoists along its borders with Kerala in the recent months, according to reliable sources in the Police Department.

This was even highlighted during the monthly review meetings on Law and Order convened by the Chief Secretary. It was based on this information that the Special Task Force (STF) that maintains vigil along the forest areas bordering neighbouring States set up three new camps, police sources said on Sunday.

No big surprise

Saturday night’s visit of armed Maoists to Nedukal Kambai village in The Nilgiris district asking people to boycott elections and join the “People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army” was no big surprise as there have been frequent inputs of Naxal activity in neighbouring Kerala.

“Investigators are trying to analyse the entry and exit routes to Nedukal Kambai and the possible approach path to Kerala, which is 14 km away.

On frequent reports of Maoist sightings along the border, the STF established new camps in Upper Bhavani, Pandalur and Mangarai recently. Trap cameras have been installed at some places,” a police officer said.

The ‘Q’ Branch that exclusively focuses on banned extremist organisations, including the Maoists, has had no regular Superintendent of Police after K. Bhavaneeswari was shifted in July last year. Setting up of more check-posts, deployment of manpower and vehicles along vulnerable routes was imperative to curb the recurrence of such activities, the officer requesting anonymity said.

23,500 vacancies in police department

Quoting a January 2016 report, he said there were at least 23,500 vacancies in the Tamil Nadu police, mostly in the constable level.

“There are more than 17,000 vacancies in the head constable/constable ranks in the State. But hundreds of constables are engaged as orderlies at the camp office or residence of many police officers. There are reports that a large number of vehicles are earmarked as spare or camp office vehicles and used for personal purposes,” the officer alleged.

“The Director-General of Police has already taken steps to address this issue effectively,” he added.

Based on the

input, Special

Task Force had

set up three

new camps