Naxal in hiding for 21 years arrested after elephant attack on camp in Kerala forest

CHIKKAMAGALUR: Most wanted Naxal Angadi Suresh, who was in hiding for the last 21 years, has been arrested by the Kerala police after he was attacked by a herd of elephants in the forest. He is now undergoing treatment at the Kannur Medical College under tight police security.

Suresh, who hails from Angadi village in Mudigere taluk, had gone underground since 2003. Originally named Pradeep, he changed his name after joining the Naxals and was on the radar of the police in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. He has more than 10 cases registered against him in Chikkamagalur, Shivamogga nad Udupi districts. He was carrying a bounty of Rs 5 lakh on his head.

On Thursday, Angadi Suresh a.k.a. Pradeep and his associates were at their camp in the Kanchikolli forest area in Kannur district of Kerala when they were attacked by elephants. The other Naxals in the group fled leaving behind a badly injured Suresh in the forest.

Some tribals rescued Suresh from the forest, administered first aid and admitted him to a hospital, it is learnt. The police have deployed heavy security at the hospital now.

Naxal Srimathi was remanded to 14 days in judicial custody

Meanwhile, Naxal Srimathi, who was arrested by the Kerala police, has been sent to 14 days in judicial custody by a court in NR Pura. She is facing over 12 cases including distribution of pamphlets, putting up banners, destroying government property, conspiring in violent acts, possession of arms, extortion with firearms and threatening police informers.

Srimathi hails from NR Pura in Sringeri taluk and has been associated with the Naxal movement for two decades. She was in hiding since 2002 and was apprehended by the Kerala police last month during combing operations and handed over to the Karkala police, who later handed her over to the Sringeri police.