With the special armed forces in Chhattisgarh taking severe action against the outlawed Maoists, there are signs that they are seriously making efforts to turn Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district and other remote parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh into their new shelter zone.
Visakhapatnam:With the special armed forces in Chhattisgarh taking severe action against the outlawed Maoists, there are signs that they are seriously making efforts to turn Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district and other remote parts of north coastal Andhra Pradesh into their new shelter zone.
Sources indicated that top Maoist leaders Jagan and Ramesh, killed in an encounter with police two days ago, had been trying to enter the deep forests of ASR district via Chintoor, Maredumilli and Y Ramavaram to reach GK Veedhi.
So far this year, 138 Maoists have been killed in police encounters, including some key leaders.
ASR district superintendent of police Amit Bardar said it is too early to infer that the Maoists are looking at Alluri Sitarama Raju district as their safe zone. The SP said they have arrested two senior outlawed leaders – an area committee member and commander of Sabari Local Organisation Squad (LOS) Madakam Manga and Cherla LOS member Madivi Ramesh in Mothugudem area of ASR district. The duo had been trying to organise meetings to recruit activists.
Amit Bardar said they are closely watching militia members and those who have surrendered earlier. “We have not arrested any person so far. We also have no indication that Maoists are entering ASR district,” he stated.
A former teacher Rajababu from GK Veedhi observed that when pressure builds up in one particular area, it is common for Maoist activists to move to safer zones. He said more police personnel are being seen in villages now. However, youth in the area are not tense, unlike the previous times.
