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Key Points

The NIA has filed a supplementary chargesheet against two more individuals in the 2023 Maoist attack case. Santhosh Kumar and H.S. Ravindra have been charged under multiple anti-terror and arms acts. They were part of a five-member group that forcibly entered the KFDC office in Wayanad while armed. The investigation into this case of anti-national activity is still ongoing.

Key Points: NIA Chargesheets Two More Maoists in Wayanad KFDC Office Attack

  • Two Maoists charged under IPC and anti-terror laws for 2023 attack
  • Accused are members of the banned CPI (Maoist) Military Wing
  • Armed group trespassed and threatened staff at gunpoint
  • Attack aimed at spreading fear and destabilizing the government
3 min read

Two more Maoists charge sheeted by NIA in 2023 Wayanad KDFC office attack case

NIA files supplementary chargesheet against Santhosh Kumar and H.S. Ravindra for the 2023 armed Maoist attack on the Kerala Forest Department Corporation office in Wayanad.

"Armed with deadly weapons, the five accused had criminally trespassed into the Kerala Forest Department Corporation office - NIA"

New Delhi, Sep 10

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has chargesheeted two more accused in the 2023 Maoist attack on Wayanad (Kerala) KFDC office, the agency said on Wednesday.

In the supplementary chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court, Ernakulam, Kerala, the two accused, Santhosh Kumar A alias Raja and H.S. Ravindra alias Kottehonda Ravi alias Manoj, have been charged under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, PDPP Act, UA (P) Act and Kerala Forest Act, 1961.

According to the NIA, it had earlier chargesheeted three other accused - C.P. Moideen, Manoj P.M. and P. K. Soman, in the case RC-03/2024/NIA/KOC.

“All five, identified as members of the proscribed CPI (Maoist) terror organisation, had been earlier arrested by NIA, which took over the investigation from the Thalapuzha police in October last year,” the agency said in its press statement.

“Armed with deadly weapons, the five accused had, on September 28 2023, criminally trespassed into the Kerala Forest Department Corporation (KFDC) office at Wayanad,” it said.

The slogan-shouting CPI (Maoist) members had forcibly restrained the Manager, threatened the other staff members at gunpoint, damaged the public property, and pasted posters of CPI (Maoist) in the office premises.

The agency added that the investigation continues.

It is pertinent to note here that C.P. Moideen alias Girish alias Salil alias Sajan, Manoj P.M. alias Ashique, and P.K. Soman alias Shahid alias Akbar were among the five Maoists who attacked the Kerala Forest Department Corporation (KFDC) office and shouted slogans as part of their violent anti-national agenda, the NIA said in the chargesheet.

The guerrillas had been charged under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, Kerala Forest Act, 1961 and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, said an NIA official.

The NIA, which took over the case a few days later, found during the investigation that C.P. Moideen, Manoj P.M., and P.K. Sonam, along with H. S. Ravindra alias Kotehonda Ravialias alias Manoj alias Ramu and Santhosh Kumar A alias Sandhosh Kumar alias Raja, were members of the Military Wing People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) of CPI (Maoist).

They had formed a local guerrilla squad named Kabani Dalam in Wayanad forests, and were actively engaged in acts of terrorism, aimed at spreading fear among the public and destabilising the government. The attack at KFDC was part of their violent anti-national agenda, the NIA had said.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
This is concerning. While violence is never acceptable, we must also address the root causes that lead people to such extremism. Development and dialogue are equally important alongside strict action.
V
Vikram M
Good job NIA! These people attacking government offices and threatening innocent staff must be dealt with strictly. No place for such violence in our democracy.
S
Sarah B
The multiple aliases show how these operatives try to evade authorities. Glad to see our agencies are staying vigilant and tracking them down despite their attempts to hide.
A
Anjali F
Hope the investigation also looks into their funding sources. These activities require money and networks. Cutting off their financial support is crucial to prevent future attacks.
M
Michael C
While I support strong action against violence, I hope the authorities ensure due process and fair trial. Justice must not only be done but seen to be done.

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