Iritty: Following the firing and arrests of Maoists in Wayanad, police have stepped up security in the border villages of Kannur. Security has been beefed up in Aralam, Karikkottakari and Kelakam police station limits where Maoist presence is high. After two of the Maoists escaped, the search for them intensified in the Aralam forest area. 

The exchange of fire happened around 10: 30 p.m. The four-member Maoist gang was collecting food and other things from a house at Chapparam colony in Periya. The Maoist gang had earlier instructed the family to buy certain things for them. Householder Aneesh said that the firing happened when the group was about to return with the things. 

The house was significantly damaged in the crossfire, compounding the hardships faced by the family members who were already under the command of Maoists. Two of the Maoists, Chandru and

Unnimaya were arrested by the police. The authorities have confiscated two AK-47 rifles and a Self-Loading Rifle (SLR) from the gang.

Meanwhile, Sundari and Latha, managed to escape from the place. It is reported that one of them sustained an injury during the incident.