The Hindu : Antony to visit Wayanad today amid tight security

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 19, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Antony to visit Wayanad today amid tight security

By Biju Govind

KOZHIKODE, MARCH 18. An unprecedented security cover has been arranged for the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, who is visiting the drought-hit areas and tribal colonies in Wayanad district tomorrow.

Special security arrangements have been made following intelligence reports that the bordering districts of Kasaragod and Wayanad in North Kerala have been infested with the activities of some organisations suspected to having links with extremists groups in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. Senior police officers told The Hindu here today that inter-State criminal activities had increased in North Kerala but no cases of any infiltration of any group from outside States have so far been reported.

``Security measures have been upgraded since suspected militant organisations have posed a serious challenge to the intelligence agencies in other States. The police do not want to take any chances here also,'' sources said. Interestingly, the Chief Minister is visiting the Adivasi colonies in Wayanad after the first anniversary of the Muthanga uprising on February 19.

Some of the Leftist militant groups such as `Porattam' have been active although the Adivasi agitation had been quelled a year ago. Likewise, a few Muslim extremists groups have also increased their activities in the Wayanad district, police sources said.

The drought situation in Wayanad district has also forced some of the eco-groups and Opposition parties venting their ire against the State Government. Some of them had also organised protest meetings in the past few weeks. ``The police will not remain inert if there is any trouble,'' the North Zone Inspector General of Police, Venugopal K. Nair, said.

According to the guided tour drafted by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Mr. Antony who will arrive here tomorrow by the Malabar Express will proceed in car escorted by heavy police security to Kalpetta in Wayanad at 7 a.m. At around 9 -15 a.m., he will have a preliminary round of discussion on the drought situation with district-level officers at the Kalpetta guest house.

After the discussion, Mr. Antony will visit Cheeyampam and the adjoining areas of Pulpally, including Mullankolly. His forenoon visits include the drought-hit areas of Parakkadavu, Kannarapuzha, Channothukolly, Chemapara, Sitamount, Kolavallil, Marakadav, the Kabani river and the tribal colonies near the river.

After lunch at the Sulthan Bathery Guest, Mr. Antony will visit Noolpuzha grama panchayat at around 2-30 p.m. He will visit the Pump House at Muthanga and the Poonkuzhi tribal colony at 3 p.m, officials said.

The District Collector, K. Gopalan said the Chief Minister will preside over a meeting of senior Revenue officials, elected representatives including MLAs, district panchayat presidents, chairmen of municipalities, grama panchayat presidents, officials of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA), Ground Water Department, Agriculture Department and Water Resources Department, at the Kalpetta conference hall at 4-30 p.m.

Mr. Antony will proceed to Palakkad district at 5-30 p.m. He is expected to visit the drought-affected areas in that district on March 20.

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