Combing operation to continue: IGP

Udupi (Karnataka), July 18: Inspector General of Police (Western Range) A M Prasad today said the combing operations in Malnad and Western Ghats forest area will contnue to contain the increased naxal activities especially during the current month.

Mr Prasad who visited Hulugarubailu forest area in Augumbe in Shimoga District, where the exchange of fire took place last night, told UNI over phone that the combing operations were continued in Augumbe and Sringeri forest areas.

An Assistant Sub Inspector was killed during the encounter with the naxals yesterday and a woman naxalite was suspected to be injured in the incident, he said.

Replying to a question about prepardness for tomorrow's Sringeri bandh call given by the Naxalites to protest against killing of naxalite Gautham and four others on July 10 in an encounter in Menasinahadya, he said adequate police arrangements had been made for the road safety between Sringeri (Chikmagalore), Bajagoli (Udupi-Daxina Kannada border) and Kalasa (Chikmagalore)-Bajagoli.

Every house on the route would be provided with police protection and police are on full alert to meet any situation tomorrow.

''We will not allow the naxalites to take any advantage,'' he added.

The naxalites numbering about five who visited the house of BJP leader Ranganath yesterday at Mavinakadu in Sringeri taluk have given a bandh call to protest against Menasinahadya encounter and also announced that road blocks would be created to stop vehicular movement between Sringeri- Bajagoli, Kudremukh National Park-Kalasa- Bajagoli.

UNI