Madikeri: ANF Chief  Alok Kumar has said that  people can have licenced guns and target them against Naxals in self defense in case the Naxals barge into houses and threaten inmates.

Alok Kumar was speaking to reporters on his arrival to Madikeri in the wake of ANF combing operations in Pushpagiri forest areas. He said the group of Naxals which visited Kaloor near Madikeri had six members and added two members of this group had been killed in encounter earlier. He said there were two Tamilians in the team and added the  government was ready for talks with Naxals  if they shunned weapons and surrendered.

We do not have any wish to kill Naxals, he said and at the same time made it clear that this however cannot be considered the weakness or helplessness of  ANF.

He also added that the Naxals can gain nothing  by roaming in forests  He said the combing operations were underway in the area with the help of Kodagu police and forest personnel and added efforts were also on to instill confidence in the villagers.