Maoists target leaders over bauxite mining

Visakhapatnam, feb. 14: Maoists have increased pressure on the government on the issue of bauxite mining in the Agency. Last week’s incidents have warned officials that the Maoists will not hesitate to step up violence to create hurdles for the proposed bauxite projects in the Agency.

Two leaders, one from the Congress and the other from the Telugu Desam were kidnapped from their homes, giving tense moments to tribal families and police.

Though they were released unharmed, the Maoists gave a stern warning to them to quit active politics if they had to support the government in pushing forward the project.

Maoists struck GK Veedhi, killing its mandal parishad vice president Sagina Somalingam who was snatched away while he was watching television and shot dead. The Maoists left a pamphlet stating that he was involved in helping the government and private companies with the project.

An active member of the CPI, Somalingam was expelled from the party in December last year after he was found working against the party with regard to bauxite mining.

The allegations were that he helped MNCs and government agencies in collecting soil samples. The Maoists have been organising village meetings asking tribals to oppose bauxite mining and also warning local leaders to make their stand clear.

District superintendent of police Vineet Brijlal said that the Maoists had no other issue other than opposing mining to prove their existence. Condemning the recent violent incidents, he said, “The Maoists have no business to kill innocent tribals when the government is taking up development in the Agency for the welfare of the poor.”