No need for anxiety about Maoists: Minister

Amid reports of banned CPI-Maoist outfits calling for an armed struggle in Kerala, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala today said there was no need for any anxiety on this count.

"Maoists have a presence in the state, but there is no need for anxiety on this," he told reporters here.

His statement comes in the wake of regional televison channels airing video clips, reportedly of Maoist leader Roopesh, who threatened to launch an armed struggle in the state. The visuals showed him in Army uniform with a gun slung across his shoulder.

Meanwhile, police have started investigations to verify the authenticity of the clips and also to ascertain if the person in the visuals was Roopesh as his face is covered.
 

Police have also intensified their search for Maoist activists in the Western ghat areas of the state, official sources said.