Maoist Presence in 486 Adivasi Colonies; Police to Interrogate Swiss Jonathan.

published on August 2, 2014

The state Home Ministry has declared that Maoist presence has been spotted in as many as 486 Adivasi colonies. Reports says that separatists and Maoists are taking advantage of the lapses made by government in the colonies inhabited by members of Scheduled Tribes in Kerala’s forest zones. Police have also sought permission to interrogate the Swiss national Jonathan, a suspected Maoist ally, who was recently taken into custody. A plea has been submitted to the court for the same. All details pertaining to Jonathan are being collected from the embassy.

The suspected presence of Maoists are said to be in 8 districts, where most of the colonies are said to be on border or forest areas. Majority of them are said to be in Wayanad. The state Home Ministrty has furnished reports of Naxal presence in all Adivasi belts from Kasargode to Palakkad and the forest areas surrounding Kallikkadu, near Neyyar Dam in Thiruvananthapuram district.

The Maoists are said to be taking advantage of the laxity on part of the government, in solving problems related to members of Scheduled Tribes who inhabit these forest zones. It has also been reported that funds allotted for welfare programmes of the Adivasis are being confiscated rampantly by middlemen. The Home Ministry is said to have issues directives to various departments in making a study and plugging in those lapses. A covert intelligence group has also begun investigations on international level.

Describing himself as a ‘revolutionary youth activist’, Jonathan Baud took part in programmes organized by CPM which extended support for Gaza and also a commemorative session in Thriprayar for slain Maoist leader Sinoj. Baud, who understands English is allegedly on a non-cooperative mode with the police and responds only in French.

“We have cross-checked his travel details in India. He had travelled to Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysore and Bandipore before coming to Kerala. If his intention is righteous, why is he reluctant to respond in English, and why is not cooperating with the probe. It is intriguing,” said a senior police officer. “We have already filed a petition in court seeking his custody. The petition would be considered either on Wednesday or Thursday,” the police said.

At present, he is lodged in the sub-jail at Irinjalakuda till August 12. Baud has been charged under the Foreigners Act, Section 14(b), which pertains to violation of visa conditions. Police said some Maoist literature had been recovered from him.

The police took 24-year-old Baud into custody from Triprayar on Monday, where he attended a condolence meeting of Maoist leader Sinoj of Thalikkulam, who was killed in a bomb explosion at the training camp of the Maoists in Andhra Pradesh while trying to make a bomb on June 16.  Though organizers denied inviting him to the function, he is said to have addressed the gathering with the permission of organizers and hailed the Communist movement here.