HP police to make locals aware of Maoists’ activities

The state police has directed its intelligence wing to gear up and keep track of the activities of Maoist suspects operating in Shimla district and other parts of the state. It has been directed to keep strict vigil on the Nepalese involved in social activities in areas with a high concentration of Nepalese population, particularly migrant and seasonal labourers.

When contacted, Anirudh Uppal, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), confirmed that police would launch a sensitising programme to make locals aware about the activities of ‘‘anti-social’’ elements who have migrated to the interiors of Shimla district.

‘‘We are looking into various aspects on the reports of the presence of Maoist activities. We can’t ignore the reports. We will have to sensitise local police stations as well locals about the problem,’’ said Uppal.

The Shimla Police have launched a massive hunt to track down Nepalese persons involved in the extortion incident that took place at Khadrala in Rohru tehsil a week ago. According to reports, six muffled Nepalese youths delivered a hand-written letter to Harka Bahadur and took Rs 10,000 from him. The letter stated that Maoist activists had entered Himachal Pradesh to collect funds in support of the Maoist struggle in Nepal.

The police investigating team sent to Khadrala identified at least six Nepalese involved in the incident. A Nepalese family at Sharithach in Khadrala had reported to police that Maoist activists had written a letter to them demanding money and had later raided their houses threatening them with dire consequences.

Of the six persons, three involved in the incident had reportedly escaped to Tuini in Uttaranchal. The district police have also sent a special police team to Uttaranchal to track down those involved.