Suspected Maoists attack govt-owned hotel in Kerala’s Wayanad district

The reception counter and restaurant of Tamarind Easy Hotel, at Thirunelli, owned by Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, was vandalized by a six-member gang. They left posters protesting against India visit of US President Barack Obama.

Quoting the hotel staff, police said the assailants threatened them not to venture out and inform anyone until they left the scene. The gang did not attack any of the inmates of the hotel. Before leaving the hotel, they pasted pro-Maoist posters in the hotel vicinity. As usual, police have starting combing operation in the region, which had reported suspected Maoist presence in the past.

The 11-roomed hotel is situated close to forest. Two months back, another private resort was vandalized in the same manner, without hurting anyone. Police had then recovered pamphlets, expressing concern over growth of tourism in the agrarian district at the cost of farmers and tribals.