ANF chief tells Maoists to give up

"They are also people like us. If they decide to give up arms and join the mainstream, the government will help them" said Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) Commander Alok Kumar

Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) Commander Alok Kumar has appealed to Maoists to surrender.

He made the appeal during his visit to Sakleshpur, where the ANF has launched a combing operation, on Saturday.

Speaking to presspersons, Mr. Kumar said the ANF had nothing to gain by killing Maoists.

“They are also people like us. If they decide to give up arms and join the mainstream, the government will help them. But, if they continue the struggle, we are determined to take the fight to its logical end,” he said.

Mr. Kumar said his force received information from the Hassan Superintendent of Police about movement of suspected Maoists in Kinkeri-Balehalla in Sakleshpur taluk on Thursday.

A team of six persons, including two women, visited the village.

“Our personnel reached the spot. According to our information, the team included Vikram Gowda, Sundari, Savithri and Ravindra. There was an exchange of fire between the ANF and the Maoists,” he said.

Further, he said the ANF would intensify its combing operation in the region.

The people should cooperate with the force by informing it whenever they receive information about the movement of Maoists.