Visakhapatnam: Slain Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao was elected on a YSRC ticket in 2014 and switched over to the ruling Telugu Desam in 2016. He had a private quarry and developing was a resort in the Araku Valley with the help of Vizag-based realtors.
Despite a warning and opposition from the Maoists, he had advocated mining for bauxite in the Agency. Sources said that Maoists were unhappy with Sarveswara Rao and ex-MLA Siveri Soma for supporting quarrying in the Agency which they felt would be detrimental to the interests of tribals besides harming the environment.
There were widespread rumours that Sarveswara Rao was involved in ganja smuggling and that he was the responsible for pushing young tribals into the trade. Formerly an MLC with the Congress, he was also facing allegations of involvement in illegal mining activities. Sources said Maoists had circulated some posters against Sarveswara Rao highlighting his alleged illegal activities.
Sources said Maoists had conducted a recce and observed the movements of Sarveswara Rao and Soma for the past few days. Leaders and activists of Girijana Sangham have been protesting against Sarveswara Rao for the past few weeks for allegedly obtaining a mining licence in his brother-in-law’s name to quarry black stone in three hectares in Hukumpet mandal.
Sarveswara Rao had taken the lease in 2008 but tribals started protesting recently saying that it was affecting their livelihood. “We are trying to ascertain facts from the personal security officers,” said Visakha Range deputy inspector general of police Ch Srikanth.
