Some purported Maoists having again made their presence felt in Almora district by pasting posters while supporting the cause of the liquor ban and exhorting the people to eliminate those engaged in booze trade have made police swing into action to identify the ultra-leftists, apparently out to spread their wings under the guise of a popular movement.
Police sources said that some purported Maoists having allegiance to the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) have exhorted the common people to step up their movement against the sale of booze in the district. They also asked them to torch the booze vends operating here and even to eliminate the traders engaged in the sale. It is learnt that such posters have been found at Binta at Kama near Bagwalipokhar and other places under Dwarahat block of Almora district.
Police sources said that they were trying to identify the Maoists who are inciting the people to resort to violence. “Such things happening repeatedly in the mountainous areas of Kumaon are indeed alarming, more so as the police are still clueless as to the identity of the persons involved,” said an observer.
Notably, protests being spearheaded by the women organisations demanding total ban to be imposed on the sale of liquor happened to be at their peak when the purported Maoists stepped in to commiserate with the cause the women are championing.
DIG Kumaon Ajay Rautela said that police in the area are alert against the Maoists seemingly trying to strike roots in the areas while supporting a popular cause. “We are quite serious on the matter and the police are on the lookout for the ultras,” he added.
Notably, earlier on February 2, some purported Maoists based in Dhari tehsil area of Nainital district had allegedly torched a vehicle in the Tehsil campus. Besides, posters instigating the people to stay away from the democratic engagement had been also found from areas in Nainital district when the state was engaged in intense electioneering.