Colleagues kidnapped, TRS leaders on alert

Abduction of six TRS leaders from the remote Pusuguppa village in Charla mandal of Khammam district late Wednesday night has created ripples in the government. This is the first such incident after formation of TS.

In fact, Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao had often said during the T-movement that TRS agenda was akin to Maoists agenda of providing succour to the poor, housing and land to the landless, etc.

A top police official told this newspaper that the ruling party leaders have been asked to be cautious while venturing out. “Maoists normally call local leaders and chat with them. This case was also similar. However, due to the Warangal bypoll and in a bid to make their presence felt, the Maoists who called TRS leaders for some discussion, confined them. We hope they will be released soon,” the top cop said.

A senior police official said, “Following warning from Maoists, TRS leaders went voluntarily to settle the issue. Maoists then detained them. It is not kidnapping as such. The KKW committee is involved in the kidnap.”

Apart from Damodar, cops also suspect the role of Vepa Narayana, alias Haribhushan, from the TS Committee of Maoists. A police official said, “Damodar escaped in the September encounter in Warangal district where two Maoists Sruthi and Sagar were killed. He carries an AK-47 with him.”