Tight vigil along TN-Kerala border after alert on Naxals

The increased vigil comes in the wake of intelligence inputs that some naxals might visit Coimbatore to undergo treatment in hospitals. As a result, vehicles coming from Kerala were thoroughly checked at Anaikatty, Mulli and Mangarai check posts in Coimbatore. 

“We have been searching the vehicles since Sunday night following intelligence inputs on naxal infiltration,” said a police officer attached to the Perianaickenpalayam sub-division. 

According to another officer, the naxal squad has been armed well as there is a possibility of the naxals launching an attack if encountered during the checks. The local police are assisting the anti-naxal squad in carrying out the vehicle checks. All vehicles entering Tamil Nadu with a Kerala registration number are thoroughly checked and information of those persons is collected by the police. 

The police have also advised hospitals in Coimbatore to inform if any person with a suspicious background is admitted for treatment.   

The naxal movement has been reported in some border tribal villages such as Attapady and Agali in Kerala, sources said. Police in civilian clothes have also enhanced vigil in more than 25 tribal settlements in Anaikatty, about 30 kms from Coimbatore, as they are prone to intrusions. 

The villagers have been alerted about the same. The intensified checks are likely to continue for a few more days. Incidentally, the tight vigil along the border has brought down instances of sand and rice smuggling from TN to Kerala, police said.