Andhra police tighten vigil over reports of Maoist resurgence

The Maoists are allegedly trying to regain their lost control and making their presence felt through violent acts like damaging communication network and roads. According to reports, the ultras have also started recruiting cadres in north Telangana districts.

However, the police says that Maoists would not be spared if they resorted to violence. "Stern action would be taken against Maoists if they indulged in any kind of violence," a senior police officer said.

In the recent past, there have been a number of incidents, which indicated that Naxalites are trying to re-establish themselves in the region.

Incidents like killing a head constable, exchange of fire in Visakhapatnam district, police seizure of Rs 50 lakh cash from Maoist couriers, a 'Praja Court' (meeting of villagers) conducted recently by the ultras at a remote village in Karimnagar district and causing injuries to one local Congress leader by opening fire, have put the police on alert.

"A group of 30-40 armed Maoists conducted a 'Praja Court' at Mukunor village of Mahadevpur mandal of Karimnagar district, close to the border with Chhattisgarh, which was once considered a stronghold of Naxalites," Karimnagar district superintendent of police V Ravinder said.

Following this incident, security forces have been put on alert and they are keeping a strict vigil on the Chhattisgarh-Andhra Pradesh border.

"We will curb all kinds of Maoist activities as per the law," the SP said, adding that besides intensifying combing operations, the police network would be strengthened.

Maoists held the villagers' meeting to threaten them after accusing two Congress leaders of being police informers. They dragged out G Chinnanna, former mandal parishad president of Mahadevpur, and his elder brother Venkatswamy, husband of former sarpanch Lakshmi of Mukunor, a village close to Chhattisgarh.

They beat up the duo in front of villagers with sticks and asked them to resign from the Congress party. When Venkatswamy tried to escape, the Maoists opened fire at him, hitting him in the stomach.

The killing of head constable K Apannna, posted in the special Intelligence Bureau, on April 26 has sent shockwaves in the state police. The Maoists shot him dead at Paderu, when he was walking on the road.

There was an exchange of fire between the police and Maoists in Luvasingi forest area of Madugula mandal in Visakha agency area. During the firing, which lasted for three hours, two persons were killed, the police said.

While the police claimed that the deceased were Maoists, villagers claimed that the deceased were their relatives.

In Khammam district, six persons, allegedly working as Maoist couriers, were arrested on April 29 and Rs 50 lakh were seized from them, which was being transported to be handed over to the Maoists in Chhattisgarh, the police said.

The money was sent from a company which had undertaken road construction work in Kanker district in Chhattisgarh, close to the Andhra Pradesh border.