Andhra Pradesh Timeline 2016

Date

Incidents

January 5

A group of CPI-Maoist cadres have allegedly beaten to death a Girijan, identified as Pangi Sivayya of Boosiputtu village in Munchingput mandal of Visakhapatnam District. According to reports reaching the victim's home, he was taken away and beaten to death near Sariapalli, a nearby village. He was branded as a 'Police informer'.

A TDP leader and former Sarpanch of Jerrela Gram Panchayat in Visakha Agency of Vishakhapatnam District, Sagina Venkataramana (32) was allegedly hacked to death by CPI-Maoist cadres. Venkataramana was actively involved in anti-bauxite mining agitation. A poster hung near the place and a pamphlet left behind alleged that Venkataramana got the resolution in favour of bauxite mining passed with forged signatures and also usurped patta lands with forged signatures.

A grant of INR 10 billion was approved by the UMHA for 35 worst Naxal affected districts spread across seven States to carry out development work and augmenting facilities to fight the CPI-Maoist. The affected areas include 16 districts in Jharkhand, eight in Chhattisgarh, six in Bihar, two in Odisha and one each in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The Ministry allocated fund at the rate of INR 280.57 million per district.

The Araku Valley Police arrested Y. Gowri (45), an employee with Lakcon Construction Company, for trying to supply 10 walkie-talkie sets and about one kilogram of gold to CPI-Maoist, near Araku junction in Visakhapatnam District.

The CPI-Maoist have reportedly set up another division in the Andhra Odisha Border to regain their hold in the Srikakulam region in Andhra Pradesh, and Gunupur and Gudari forest areas and Rayagada in Odisha. The new division has been christened the Odisha-Srikakulam division, sources claimed.

UMH Rajnath Singh reviewed Naxal situation of AP in Visakhapatnam where he credited security agencies, developmental programmes and policies of the State Government for the improved scenario. He said the LWE activities across States were restricted to 141 districts in 2015 from 162 districts in 2014.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an exchange of fire with a combing party comprising the Greyhounds personnel and the Special Party of the Vishakhapatnam District Police near Revulakota village in Koyyuru Mandal under Mampa Police Station limits in Vishakhapatnam District. There was no casualty on the Police side. As per reports, both the Maoists belonged to the Galikonda 'area committee' of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered two 12 bore single barrel guns, some cartridges and two kit bags containing two mobile phones, uniforms and Maoist literature from the encounter spot.

The Andhra Pradesh State Government is keen on deploying additional forces in strategic areas on the Andhra-Odisha Border to check the presence of the Maoists, said Home Minister N. Chinarajappa.

The current security situation in Naxal violence affected States is "good" and may improve further while parts of Odisha and adjoining areas are witnessing an increased activity of these cadres, said CRPF DG Prakash Mishra. Asserting that the violent activities and incidents of LWE attacks have "come down" in the last one year, he further said the situation still remains dynamic and sustained Police action along with development activities have to go in tandem to keep the LWEs under check. "If you go by the overall activities in the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) affected states, I would say the situation is good. Their (Naxals) activity has come down," Mishra, who will be retiring at the end of this month (February), said while interacting with reporters. The DG added while States like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar have been the focus areas of anti-LWE operations largely led by CRPF, some hinterland areas of Odisha and its border with Andhra Pradesh have recently seen a rise in LWE activities. "While situation on the LWE front has drastically improved, these new developments (along Andhra-Odisha border) need to be checked," DG Mishra added.

The Buttayigudem Police arrested three members of a CPI-Maoist militia in the forest area near Upparella in West Godavari District, and recovered from them a country-made gun and bullets. The trio - Sagar Babu, Dharmanna and Somaraju - confessed to their membership in the Chandranna dalam of the CPI-Maoist.

The CPI-Maoist has given a bandh call on March 7, 2016, in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Dandakaranya regions, condemning the encounter on Telangana-Chhattisgarh border in which it lost eight armed cadres. Jagan, the party official representative from Telangana State, has issued a statement that was circulated to all the local media offices in which he has said that the Police caught hold of the unarmed women and tortured them before killing them. He further said "The Chief Minister said that there will be no encounters in separate Telangana. But he is trying to eliminate naxals through the same means. Both the KCR and Modi governments have started Operation Red Hunt."

In an official release, the Central Government has said that eight of the 10 districts in Telangana are LWE affected. The Districts named are Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Medak, Mahbubnagar, Nalgonda, Warangal and Nizamabad. Only the two urban districts of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy have been excluded from the list. Incidentally, among the 106 Districts declared as LWE-affected, eight districts of Andhra Pradesh also figure - Anantapur, East Godavari, Guntur, Kurnool, Prakasam, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram. "By this reckoning, 16 of the 23 districts of erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh are hit by Naxalite violence. How could this be possible?" wondered a senior police official. Commenting on the report Telangana DGP Anurag Sharma said "I can react to the development only after I see the central communication. As far as the state is concerned, only Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal and Khammam are left-wing extremism affected districts."

CPI-Maoist cadres of Galikonda 'area committee' killed a tiles trader, identified as Gundu Rao, near Kumkumpudi of G.K. Veedhi mandal in the Vishakhapatnam Agency area of Vishakhapatnam District. Rao is the husband of former Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) member Chandrakala of G.K. Veedhi. Reports said that the Maoists, after killing the trader by slitting his throat, left a note stating that Rao associated himself with the anti-Maoist wing of the District Police and was passing on information about the party.

Fifty-three people were executed by the CPI-Maoist after 'kangaroo courts' found them 'guilty' in the five worst Naxal-hit states of the country in the last three years. According to UMHA statistics, 18 civilians were killed following the directives of 'kangaroo courts' or 'Jan Adalats' in 2015 for being alleged 'Police informers' or "for not believing in Maoist ideology". During 2015, 41 'Jan Adalats' were held by Naxal cadres in five LWE affected states, Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (6), Chhattisgarh (14), Jharkhand (14) and Odisha (6). Altogether 15 civilians were executed in 2014 following orders of 54 'Jan Adalats' and 20 civilians were killed in 2013 under the directives of 63 'Jan Adalats'

In 2016, till February 15, two 'Jan Adalats' have been held in Chhattisgarh. While nearly one lakh paramilitary personnel continued to be deployed in LWE-affected areas, the 10 Naxal-hit states; Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, saw 226 deaths in 1,088 incidents of violence perpetrated by Maoists in 2015. In 2015, of the 226 deaths, 168 were civilians and 58 were SF personnel. As many as 89 Maoists were also killed and 1,668 were arrested and 570 cadres surrendered before authorities during the year.

17 people were abducted by the Naxals in the first two months of this year (2016) and they killed five of them, the UMHA informed the Lok Sabha. Of this, Jharkhand has the highest number of abductions and killings. While there were eight abductions in Jharkhand, two of them lost their lives at the hands of the CPI-Maoist. Chhattisgarh followed with four abductions and two killings. Last year (2015), there were 115 incidents of abduction by Maoists in which 62 people lost their lives. Chhattisgarh had the highest number of incidents at 39 followed by Jharkhand at 30.

53 people were executed by the Maoists after Jan Adalats found them "guilty" in the five worst LWE-hit States of the country in the last three years. Even as security agencies claim that the LWE spread in the country is shrinking, as per UMHA statistics, 18 people were killed following the directives of "kangaroo courts" in 2015 for being alleged Police informers or "for not believing in Maoist ideology." During 2015, 41 "Jan Adalats" were held by LWES in five LWE-affected States of Andhra Pradesh (1), Bihar (6), Chhattisgarh (14), Jharkhand (14) and Orissa (6). In 2014, Government statistics show that 15 people were executed following orders of 54 "Jan Adalats" and 20 people were killed in 2013 under the directives of 63 "Jan Adalats."

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, one carrying a reward of INR 400,000 on her head, and another INR 100,000, surrendered before Vishakhapatnam District SP Koya Praveen. They have been identified Gemmeli Bundo alias Kamala alias Rasso (26), associated with Jana Natya Mandali and Vanthala Saalu alias Balayya (19), a member of the Galikonda 'area committee.' The former surrendered due to health problems and the latter because he found life difficult in the party.

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Madivi Devayya alias Vinod alias Deva (24), member of the Sabari Dalam, surrendered before East Godavari District Police. He declared that he wants to lead a peaceful life in public and also want to end underground activities.

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres killed a civilian, identified as Koothudi Venkata Rao, of Jakaravalasa at D. Thadivalasa, a hamlet under Kurukutti panchayat in Salur Agency of Vizianagaram District. He was killed on the charges of being a 'Police informer'.

Naxal activities continue to be a matter of concern with 35 Districts in seven states being badly-hit, according to the annual report of the UMHA for 2015-16. "Left Wing Extremism (LWE) remains an area of concern for internal security of the country," the report submitted to Parliament said. While 106 Districts in 10 States are affected by CPI-Maoist activities in varying degrees, 35 Districts in seven states are the most affected. "CPI (Maoist) continues to be the most potent among the various LWE outfits in the country and accounts for more than 80 per cent of total LWE violence incidents and resultant deaths," the report said.

The murder of a tribal farmer by CPI-Maoist branding him as a 'Police informer' at Jarikavalasa village in Vizianagaram District sparked a protest. P. Venkat Rao, the deceased, was a tenant farmer and he had no connections with the Police, the protesters asserted.

Andhra Pradesh Greyhounds with assistance from Malkangiri District Police of Odisha from the other side of the border have launched a sudden and massive combing operation on the Andhra-Odisha border. Police sources claimed movement of Naxals- was spotted on the AOB and that the elite force has ventured deep to nab them.

A 40-year old former cadre of the CPI-Maoist was reportedly taken into custody at Thallayapalem in Thullur mandal in Guntur District of Andhra Pradesh by special party Police. The woman Maoist identified as Bhootam Annapoorna alias Aruna had come to the village to see her relatives when Police, who got wind of her whereabouts, picked her up. Aruna had been an active Maoist and had worked in dalams at Julakallu village in Piduguralla mandal for many years, it was learnt. Guntur Police have, however, refused to confirm the arrest.

One CRPF trooper was injured when CPI-Maoist cadres triggered a series of landmines targeting the SF personnel on a combing operation in Rudakota area of Pedabayalu mandal in the Visakha agency in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The injured trooper was identified as radio operator of the 198 battalion head constable Srinivas Sahu (40) of Odisha. Sources said four to five explosions of IEDs were heard at around 8.30 am 5 kilometres away from Rudakota area, which was followed by gunfire. CRPF personnel retaliated with light machine gun fire. A platoon of 25 to 30 CRPF personnel was moving from Rudakota area to Munchingput when the incident took place.

A top leader of the CPI-Maoist, Kudumula Venkata Ramana alias Ravi, died of jaundice at a city hospital in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. Ravi was member of the AOBSZC and 'commander' of first company of party's CRC that was responsible for many operations in the area. He had reportedly planned many attacks on the Police and destruction of property. Ravi carried a reward of INR 2 million on his head. Ravi was reportedly brought to the city from a place beyond Sapparla in Chintapalli mandal in the morning but was already dead, according to information available with the Police, SP Koya Praveen said. Ravi, a native of Kommangi village in Chintapalli mandal joined the Maoist party in 1998 soon after completing high school. He rose in the party ranks to become one of its top leaders and military strategist. He married Kumari, a party member.

The Visakha Rural Police reportedly arrested Galikonda 'area committee member' of the CPI-Maoist, Vantala Checchu alias Vasanta (33) of Bonangipalli in GK Veedhi mandal in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh, a couple of days ago. Vasanta is the wife of senior leader and 'divisional committee member' Krishna. Vasanta has been suffering from various ailments. According to sources, she had been staying at her native village for some time to avail medical treatment. After learning this, the rural Police went to the village and took her into custody. Vasanta was arrested by combing parties at Janbai in the cut-off area in Malkangiri District of Odisha five years ago. However, she had managed to escape from custody.

The Yetapaka Police of East Godavari District arrested two CPI-Maoist cadres. Presenting them before the media, S. Raviprakash, SP, said that Kaluma Lakuma (26) alias Ravi of Guthikoya community and a native of Vissapuram village and Kaluma Raja (30), also from the same village, were arrested in the Jaggaram forest area while moving under suspicious circumstances.

The Andhra Pradesh State Police Housing Corporation Limited is constructing 14 LWE attack proof Police Stations in LWE-affected areas in the State, said Corporation Chairman Ravulapati Seetarama Rao. "LWE police stations are attack-proof stations. AP Police Housing Corporation is utilising the services of experts in designing and constructing LWE stations," said Rao. The corporation has taken up 16 LWE stations, of which two were completed in Guntur District. Fourteen are in different stages in Visakhapatnam, East Godavari, Kadapa and Guntur Districts. "The attack proof police station buildings are equipped with roof top sentry, sentry points, electrical fence, compound walls, one generator, rest rooms for Station House Officer, Sub Inspectors and women staff, waiting halls, bell of arms and other facilities. Attack proof stations were being constructed at Addateegala, Rajavommangi, Donkarayi, Rampachodavaram and other Naxal-affected areas," the Corporation Chairman added.

A CPI-Maoist 'area committee' member identified as Korra Gasi alias Jhansi (27) of Koyyuru area in Visakhapatnam agency and militia members Buturi Appa Rao (45) and Velusuri Lakshmaiah (30) surrendered before Police in Visakhapatnam District. Jhansi was the 'area committee' member of East Visakha Joint Division, and primarily worked in Andhra Odisha Border areas. Ill-health has been cited as the reason for their surrender. Having knowledge of nursing, she also served as part-time medic in the outfit. According to Jhansi, many other cadre members were suffering from ill-health and are being denied proper medical attention by the Maoists leadership. "A few more are likely to surrender in the coming days," she said.

Andhra Pradesh DGP J.V. Ramudu has said that there was no presence of CPI-Maoist cadres in the capital area of Amaravati. Speaking after laying a stone for the construction of a Police Conference Hall at Mangalagiri, he rubbished reports on the movements of Maoists in the capital region.

Three CPI-Maoist cadres were killed in an encounter with Police in Marripakala forests under Visakha Rural Agency area in Visakhapatnam District. The encounter took place when a team of Andhra Pradesh Special Police Force personnel was conducting a combing operation in the area under Koyyuru Police Station limits. The Maoists opened fire at the team and Police retaliated, said Babujee Attada, ASP, Operations, Visakha Rural. As per preliminary information, three Maoists were gunned down by Police whereas the other Maoists managed to escape with injuries, Attada said, adding an assault rifle was recovered from the spot. Though the identity of the deceased is yet to be established, one of them is suspected to be a 'commander' of the Galikonda Area Committee of the CPI-Maoist, the ASP said. It is believed that one of the slain Maoist to be dalam (armed squad) 'commander' Gopal alias Azad, adds Indian Express. Gopal carried a reward of INR 400,000 on his head. However, the three are yet to be officially identified.

The East Division Committee of the CPI-Maoist has called bandh on May 16 in protest against what it called the "killing" of one of its 'top' leaders and Galikonda 'area committee secretary' Azad and committee members - Anand and Kamala - in the Marripakala forest area near Palasamudram of Koyyuru mandal of Vishakhapatnam District in Andhra Pradesh. The 'committee', in a press release alleged that the 'Greyhounds', on information provided to the Special Intelligence Branch by "anti-people" elements, surrounded the party members and shot them dead.

The bodies of three slained CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as Azad, Anand and Parvatakka alias Ramulamma, killed in an encounter in Marripakala forest area under Mampa Police Station limits in Koyyuru of Vishakhapatnam District are being brought to Koyyuru. Azad, a senior leader of the CPI-Maoist's east division committee and 'secretary' of the Galikonda area, belongs to Karakavanipalem near Pendurthi on the city outskirts, Anand is a senior leader of the 'area committee' and was from Koyyuru mandal while Parvatakka, a dalam member, was from Bonangipalli in GK Veedhi mandal, according to preliminary reports which are yet to be confirmed. The Greyhounds personnel that took part in the encounter had recovered an AK 47 riffle, three SLRs and a pistol along with seven kit bags. The group of Maoists was resting when the Greyhounds attacked them, it was reported. Azad, whose real name is Gopal, was from a family of Maoists. He had joined the party when he was in the college. His elder sister Aruna is at present with the Maoist party's Srikakulam-Koraput divisional committee and his father Lakshmana Rao, who lives in Karakavanipalem, is said to be a Maoist sympathiser.

Intelligence sources confirmed that the CPI-Maoist cadres have constituted an Action Team and conducted 'recce' in the capital area of Andhra Pradesh a few days ago. The Guntur Police arrested a woman Maoist leader identified as Bhutam Annapurna alias Aruna, who came to the capital region on the pretext of taking treatment last month (April). Through some organisations, which are fighting against the government for allegedly destroying greenery along Krishna river bund and in getting suitable compensation to the land losers, Maoists are trying to meet some farmers and those who are feeling distressed. A top Police officer said there are no underground activities in the capital region but there was information on movement of Maoists in Krishna and Guntur Districts. Instructions have been given to the VIPs not to move in villages without giving prior information to the Police, he said. "We have information about the Maoists working with some frontal organisations and some like-minded people in Krishna and Guntur districts. Some sympathisers are helping naxalites in spreading their network and an alert has been sounded in this regard," the officer said preferring anonymity.

The bandh called by the CPI-Maoist in the East Division passed of peacefully and evoked partial response. The strike was called in protest against the alleged fake encounter by the SF personnel at Marripakalu in Koyyuru mandal in Visakha Agency on May 4 in which three Maoists including Galikonda 'area committee secretary' VRL Gopal alias Azad were killed. Shops and other commercial establishments remained close in GK Veedhi mandal and some interior parts of other mandals. Buses and private vehicle operators also suspended services to the mandal but both public and private transport vehicles operated in Chintapalli, Paderu, G Madugula, Pedabayalu and Munchingput mandals.

Maoist leaflets on alleged atrocities by the SFs surfaced at RV Nagar in GK Veedhi mandal in Vishakhapatnam District. The Maoists said their armed cadres were killed in a one-sided firing at Marripakalu and warned the security personnel that they would pay the price for the fake encounter. On their part, Police authorities claimed that the bandh was a failure and that the extremists are alienated from the local people.

With the recent combing operations and encounters by the SF personnel breaking into the CPI-Maoist strongholds, members of the AOBSZC as well as the CPI-Maoist are reportedly initiating efforts to strengthen their rank and file. According to sources, the CPI-Maoist 'central committee' wants to give a new lease of life to the movement in the AOB areas by deploying leaders from their Telangana committee as well as armed platoons from Chhattisgarh. "Those likely to take charge in AOB include Jalandhra Reddy alias Krishna from Chhattisgarh and Bakuru Venkata Ramana alias Ganesh from Odisha. East Godavari and Visakha borders are important to the naxals as they border Chhattisgarh and Malkangiri district of Odisha," a senior official involved in anti-Maoist operations said, adding "They need link with Odisha to safeguard their teams and also receive guidance from top rank naxals." New leaders are expected to take charge from 'secretary' of the East Division Pratapareddy Ramachandra Reddy alias Chalapati.

In major setbacks in the recent past, the Maoists lost one of their key leaders and People's PLGA top leader Kudumula Venkata Rao to illness, while three Maoists including Galikonda area committee 'secretary' Azad died in a recent encounter with SF. Following these developments, the Maoists in the AOB areas reportedly sent a message to their central leadership seeking urgent reinforcements, the sources said, adding that their central committee member Katakam Sudarsan alias Anand may visit the AOB soon to meet the leaders. The East Division has only two area committees - Galikonda and Korukonda. Maoist 'commander' Sarath's death in the hands of the local people one and a half year ago in Korukonda, and the recent construction of the Rallagedda outpost weakened the Maoist movement in the area.

An 'area committee' member of the east Visakha joint division of the CPI-Maoist identified as Vanthala Vasantha alias Cheechu alias Jyothi who carries a reward of INR 400,000 on her head, and three militia members, each with a reward of INR 100,000, have been arrested by the Vishakhapatnam District Police. Vasantha was with Malkangiri area committee in Odisha and her pleas to let her leave the party on health grounds were not accepted. She was arrested at Valasagedda under Duppalaguda Panchayat in G.K. Veedhi mandal under Sileru Police Station limits when she came out for treatment. Militia member Pongi Sattibabu alias Gorlemetta Sattibabu of Boodaralla in Koyyuru mandal and Pongi Kameswara Rao alias Vamsi of Pokalapalem village under Boodaralla Panchayat were arrested near Chintavanipalem under Mampa Police Station limits in Koyyuru mandal and Gemmeli Govinda Rao of Peddurugondi village in GK Veedhi mandal was arrested at Teemalabanda village in G.K.Veedhi mandal.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres, identified as 'deputy commander' of JNM, a cultural wing of Maoists, M. Kalavathi alias Bhavani alias Santakka of Anantapuram District and Galikonda 'area committee member' K. Lakshmi of GK Veedhi mandal were taken into custody. Both the Maoists are being interrogated by the Visakha rural Police in Visakhapatnam District. Sources said both the women were undergoing treatment at a hideout in Chitrakonda area of Malkangiri District, close to Visakha District borders, at the time of the arrest. However, other sources said both surrendered at Malkangiri and were brought to Visakhapatnam.

Three women CPI-Maoist cadres including a 'divisional committee leader' who carried a reward of INR 800,000 on her head surrendered before the Visakha Rural Police in Visakhapatnam District. Divisional committee leader Kudabala Lakshmi alias Sarita (29) of Chamagedda village in GK Veedhi mandal 'area committee member' Bonangi Ramulamma alias Bharati alias Saroja of Labadampalli village in GK Veedhi mandal and Tambelu Tummu alias Vijaya (24) of Tartal village in G Madugula mandal had apparently decided to surrender due to severe oppression by the SFs, ill health and differences with senior leader and east division secretary Chalapathi.

The Visakha Rural Police have launched a poster campaign highlighting the rewards that one can get by disclosing the where about of top Naxal leaders in the agency area and AOB. The posters have appeared in various villages of Koyyuru, GK Veedhi, and Chintapalli mandals (administrative unit) at a time when the CPI-Maoist are struggling to regain foothold in the east division following encounters and loss of men in the past one year.

At least 76 Naxals were killed and 665 arrested by SF personnel in the LWE-hit areas in the first four months of 2016, Home Ministry officials said. SF have achieved greater success in tackling LWEs in recent times and there was 30 per cent decline in violence perpetrated by the Maoists this year (2016). Altogether, 76 CPI-Maoist cadres were killed between January and April this year in comparison to 15 killed in the corresponding period of 2015. As many as 665 Maoists were arrested and 639 surrendered in the first four months of 2016 whereas 435 LWEs were arrested and 134 surrendered in the corresponding period of 2015, a Home Ministry official said. In 2015, 226 people died in 1,088 incidents of violence perpetrated by the LWEs. Of the 226 deaths, 168 were civilians and 58 security personnel. As many as 89 Maoists were also killed and 1,668 were arrested and 570 cadres surrendered before authorities last year. "The decline in violence can be attributed to many reasons such as greater presence of security forces across the Left Wing Extremism-affected states, loss of cadres and leaders on account of killing, arrests, surrender and desertions, better monitoring of development schemes in affected areas and insurgency fatigue among the Maoist cadres," the official said. While 106 districts in 10 states are affected by Maoist activities in varying degrees, 35 districts in seven states are considered to be worst hit. According to a recent Parliamentary Standing Committee report, Naxal activities continue to be a matter of concern with 35 districts in seven states being badly-hit. "CPI (Maoist) continues to be the most potent among the various LWE outfits in the country and accounts for more than 80 per cent of total LWE violence incidents and resultant deaths," the report said.

A hardcore CPI-Maoist cadre, one among the seven Maoists and 20 under trials who had fled the Chaibasa jail in December 2014, was arrested from a construction site in Visakhapatnam District. A team of West Singhbhum Police, which had gone to Visakhapatnam three days ago, brought arrested Maoist Chakro Chaki back to the town this morning (June 14) and produced him in a local court, which sent him back to Chaibasa Divisional Jail.

CPI-Maoist 'central committee' has given a call for celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Naxalbari armed uprising, centenary of the Russian revolution and the bicentenary of the birth of Karl Marx. In a 10-page statement, the 'general secretary' of the CPI-Maoist, Muppala Lakshman Rao alias Ganapathi, said that all the party units should make "preparations, put maximum efforts and issue calls to the vast masses to actively and energetically participate in these celebrations". He called upon his party cadre to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Naxalbari uprising from May 23 to 29, 2017, the centenary of the Bolshevik Revolution from November 7 to 13, 2017 and Karl Marx birth bicentenary from May 5 to 11, 2018. If, for any reason, it was not feasible to conduct these events on the above mentioned dates, Ganapathi said, they could be organised in other time of the years of the anniversaries. "It is to be expected that the enemy will try to create all kinds of hurdles everywhere to prevent us from organising these anniversaries, be it in the urban or rural areas. We should be prepared for this and make realistic and practicable plans to conduct these programmes successfully in spite of disruptionist efforts", the statement said. The Maoist party also said that efforts should be made to organise at least one international programme in any of the Indian cities on a date agreeable to all participants. As part of these celebrations, the party has also sought publication of books, booklets and collection of articles for enhancing the understanding of Marxism.

The CPI-Maoist has reportedly held a review meeting headed by the AOBSZC members at the AOB a couple of days ago. Senior AOBSZC members like Dubasi Sankar alias Mahender and Narayana Swamy alias Damodar reportedly attended the meeting that assessed the present situation in the East Division and alleged differences among the cadres and leaders, sources said. The meeting was held in the wake of severe blows in the form of arrests, surrenders and encounters. As per information available, the Maoist leadership is planning to bring Kakuri Pandanna alias Jagan, a tribal leader, as the 'chief' of East Division. Pandanna was the security head of central committee member Ramakrishna alias RK.

The CPI-Maoist warned their former colleagues, who had surrendered to the Police, of dire consequences if they ventured out of their villages in the next three years. The Maoists leaders gave the warning during a praja people's court conducted on the Koyyuru-GK Veedhi borders in Visakha agency.

In a bid to win over the people in the Vishakhapatnam agency areas of north Andhra Pradesh, the CPI-Maoist cadres are now visiting the bordering areas of Vizianagaram and some parts of Srikakulam District in plainclothes and holding meetings on the State Government's apathy towards the villagers' problems related to land and local issues. Following severe loss of cadre and ammunition dumps, the Maoists are making their moves carefully. The AOBSZC leaders' recently held meeting with the East Division Maoists would also bring about a change in the attitude of the Maoists in Visakha Agency and East Godavari, sources said. "Locals are surprised to see naxals visiting their villages without wearing their usual olive green uniforms. A team of 4-5 naxals visit the villages first to ensure that combing parties are not in the vicinity and then the leaders arrive at the village to conduct meetings. This has been going along the bordering areas for the past few weeks," said a senior Police officer on conditions of anonymity. Even their style of interacting with the people has changed and they are now mingling with the people in a friendly manner, he added.

Srikakulam-Koraput division committee 'deputy commander' VR Chaitanya alias Aruna was spotted holding meetings with locals at the bordering villages of Kotia and Narayanpatna in Koraput District. According to the sources, the Maoists are now totally focused on organisational activity -- mainly educating the people on various issues to help raise their voice against government authorities and elected representatives. Srikakulam-Koraput division 'commander' Chamala Krishna Murthy alias Daya has also been busy near the bordering areas of Araku, the sources added.

The East Godavari District Police averted a major disaster by defusing three landmines planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Yedugurrallapalli village. Two of the three landmines were planted long ago, it is said.

Two members of the Korukonda 'area committee' of the CPI-Maoist along with a 'deputy commander' of the area committee's militia and six armed militia members of the Galikonda 'area committee' have surrendered before Visakhapatnam District SP Rahul Dev Sharma. Area committee members Muvvala Krishna alias Ganesh and Seendri Nagesh carried a reward of INR 100,000 each on their head.

Admitting that the Naxal movement has received serious setbacks in recent times in the form of encounter deaths and surrender of leaders, East Division 'secretary' Pratap Reddy alias Ram Chandra Reddy alias Appa Rao alias Chalapati said SFs personnel have made quite a few strikes but claimed that the 'people's movement' has not been suppressed and will bounce back. While giving an interview in the interiors of the AOB on the eve of the Martyr's Week Chalapati said like their comrades elsewhere in the country, the LWEs of the East Division too need to change the strategy to match the changing socio-economic, political and global scenario.

The Government at the Centre is set to reduce the number of CPI-Maoist affected Districts in the country by about a fifth. A senior UMHA official has said that approximately 20 of the 106 Districts which have been described as being Maoist-affected and are part of the 'Red Corridor' may soon no longer be part of the list. This exercise, under way now for two years, is being done for the first time since 2006, when the Maoist-affected Districts were identified and graded on the basis of their violence profile. The names of the Districts and the reasons for being considered to be taken off the list have been communicated to the States and a response is awaited. Of these, 44 Districts are said to be the worst-affected. India has a total of 683 districts.

In a bid to make its call for observance of 'Martyrs week' from July 28 to August 3 a success, the CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly laid a virtual siege to the Ramachandrapuram-Ankannagudem stretch of the Bhadrachalam-Venkatapuram main road for a couple of hours and planted explosives in a plastic bucket on the roadside. This comes close on the heels of the wall poster campaign launched by the Maoists in the remote border villages along the restive inter-State border with Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Sources said that Maoists reportedly blocked vehicular traffic by tying a rope between two trees from one end of the road to the other and planting two plastic buckets on either side of the main road.

CPI-Maoist cadres kidnapped and killed a pastor branding him as a 'Police informer' in Chinturu mandal of East Godavari District. The Police said 25 Maoists visited Lakshmipuram village of Nellipaka mandal near Chinturu on July 29 night and enquired about Vooraka Maraiah (45), a pastor. They woke up his family and took Maraiah along with them. After three hours, Maraiah's body, with hands tied to the back, was found at the junction of the village. It bore stab and bullet wounds.

Security personnel in Visakha Agency heaved a sigh of relief as 'Martyrs Week' observed by CPI-Maoist passed off incident free. "This year, Maoists did not indulge in any violent or destructive activity during the Martyr's Week. They were aware of the combing parties and kept low," a senior Police official said in Visakha Agency. However, in East Godavari District, the Maoists killed a priest in a church after branding him as 'Police informer' during the week. But Police could not prevent the Maoists from holding meetings. In fact, Maoist 'central committee' member Akkiraju Haragopal alias RK alias Saketh resurfaced at Sanyasiguda cut-off area in neighbouring Malkangiri District of Odisha to participate in the activities along with Malkangiri-Koraput border division 'secretary' Gajarla Ravi alias Uday during the 'Martyrs Week'. Pappuluru area committee also observed 'Martyrs' Week' at Pappluru forest in Malkangiri District.

The Maoists also paid tributes to their 'martyrs' at Injari panchayat in Pedabayalu mandal where 'commander' Kiran alias Manganna inaugurated a pylon. Some cadres including 'commander' Naveen and division committee leader Kakuri Pandanna were present at Garimanda village in Koyyuru mandal. Commenting on these incidents an officer involved in the anti-Maoist operations said "Maybe they are protecting their members as they do not wish to lose their cadres in another encounter. We have clear information about their movement in the Visakha agency." The Police were anticipating retaliation to the encounter at Marripakalu-Palasamaudram area near Puttakota in Koyyuru mandal on May 4, 2016 in which three senior cadres including Galikonda area committee 'secretary' Azad were killed.

Naxalism showed varying trends in Andhra Pradesh during the last two years while it declined in Telangana during the same period, the Rajya Sabha was informed. In a written reply, Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said ''In 2014, 18 Naxal incidents were reported in Andhra Pradesh in which four deaths occurred and same year 14 incidents took place in Telangana in which five deaths were reported.'' In 2015, 35 Naxalite incidents came to light in which eight deaths took place in AP and the same year two deaths happened in Telangana in 11 incidents of extremism. In 2016 (up to July 15), 12 cases of extremism took place in AP in which five people died and in Telangana five cases came to the fore with no deaths,'' the Minister informed.

CPI-M legislator Sunnam Rajaiah, in a statement, condemned the alleged kidnap by the CPI-Maoist, of five tribal villagers from Pega village of Chintoor mandal in East Godavari District.

Seven militia members of the Korukonda area committee of the CPI-Maoist surrendered to Inspector of Chintapalli Police Circle Ch. Rudra Sekhar at the District Police Office in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh. The surrendered members are identified as K Chinnabbai (32), K Ram Murthy (52), V Raju (43), V Ram Babu (31), V Krishna Rao (21), K Buddu Naidu (36) and K Ravi (25). All of them are Girijans and are natives of Cheruvuru village under Balapam panchayat in Chintapalli mandal. They were involved in incidents such as taking over coffee plantations of the APFDC in Balapam panchayat in 2011, famine raid in Balapam in 2013, destruction of the house of Gemmeli Sanjiva Rao in Veeravaram and Essar pipeline between Cheruvuru and Diguvajanabha in 2015, and attending a meeting organised by the Maoists as part of the Martyr's Week this year, a press release from the DPO said.

The CPI-Maoist have floated six new front organisations in Andhra Pradesh to infiltrate mass agitations like the one for capital area farmers' rights and Bhogapuram land losers issues, according to State and Central Intelligence agencies. As guerrilla squads have weakened and their capability to carry out attacks has been almost neutralised by the Police, the extremists are focusing on front organisations. Fronts which were defunct or had become inactive have been activated. A top official of anti-Maoist intelligence said, "We have information that Maoists have floated six new front organisations on Amaravati farmers' rights issues in land acquisition and land pooling areas. Apart from that they have also used the death of Rohith Vemula at the Hyderabad Central University to strengthen themselves under the pretext of fighting caste oppression." "Intelligence has found that top Maoist leaders are in touch with the frontal groups. Their recruitments have come down. So they are trying to focus on universities and colleges particularly in Nellore and Ongole by raking up the issue of Rohith Vemula. At the 2015 plenary the CC decided to focus on strengthening mass agitations and have started giving more funds to front organisations." Earlier, most of these groups were Hyderabad centric. Now they have shifted attention to AP.

East Division Committee of the CPI-Maoist called upon the people to celebrate the 12th formation day of the party on September 21 and asserted that the party was strong among the people and police were doing a campaign against it. It wanted people to support the party's armed struggle to end exploitation of the majority of the people by a small minority. In a press release, the east division committee also alleged that SP, R.D. Sharma and OSD, A. Babujee were claiming that the party had lacked support among Girijans and that Girijans had celebrated after Maoists were killed in the Palasamudram area on May 4. The party's support among Girijans remained intact in spite of "severe police repression" and in spite of the police trying to prevent them, the Girijans raised money for death ceremony of Kudumula Venkata Ramana (Ravi). In Balapam area locals were forced to produce Aadhaar card, ration card or voter card when they purchase commodities or fertilizers for the crops they are rising, the party alleged.

The CPI-Maoist came out in support of the separatists who are opposing the Indian Government in Pakistan. Political representative of AOBZC of the party Jaganabandhu in a press release hailed the separatists in Kashmir as "setting an example with a strong, spirited fight by combining people's agitation with militant struggle." In the press release, the party asked the Government to conduct a referendum, take action on the officers involved in the Burhan Wani encounter, lift house arrest of APHC leaders, etc.

September 26

Three top leaders of the CPI-Maoist were present in the court of Metropolitan Sessions Judge S. Sasidhar Reddy, which is the designated court for cases against Maoists in the Visakhapatnam District, in the Gunukurayi encounter case. After the Additional Public Prosecutor K. Prudhiviraj, who is Deputy Director of Prosecution sought time for arguments in the case; the Judge has adjourned the case to September 28. The Maoists leaders produced in the court were Varanasi Subrahmanyam alias Vimal, who had studied ML in Andhra University, Marpu Venkata Ramana of Srikakulam and Aklant Rabha of Assam, while and Punendra Mukherjee of Kolkata, another accused in the case could not attend as he was sick. The case was booked after a CRPF Head Constable Anil Kumar was killed in an encounter with the then CPI-ML (PW) naxalites at Gunukurayi in G.K. Veedhi Mandal on May 28, 2008. Four PWG activists were also killed in the incident.

Member of the east division committee and first CRC of the CPI-Maoist, Marri Veera alias Leevu, and six members of the party's militia surrendered to SP Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District. Marri Veera (25), carrying a reward of INR 100,000 on his head, a native of Veeravaram under Devarapalli panchayat in G.K. Veedhi mandal, had moved mostly with Maoist leader Jambri when he was in the party. Veera had lost his parents when he was 15 years old and Jambri took him into the party in 2008 and worked with the Galikonda area committee and was made member of the first CRC in 2010 and also bodyguard of a top Maoist leader Kudumula Ravi. Veera was involved in four exchanges of fire in Andhra area and three in Odisha area between 2010 and 2012 and was also involved in famine raids. The militia members were D Veranna Padal (22), K Chantibabu (29), P Ramamurthy (26), G Subba Rao (29), P Sumra (18) and L Dasarath (20), all natives of GK Veedhi mandal in the Visakhapatnam District. They helped the Maoists in logistics, mobilised people for party meetings, hanging banners and distributing pamphlets, etc.

Two CPI-Maoist cadres were injured in an exchange of fire with a Police party in G.K.Veedhi mandal in Visakhapatnam District. A senior leader of the Maoist party, Jambri, reportedly escaped along with some others. The Police party was on its routine combing operation in the area when it came across a group of Maoists and received fire near Peddapadu and Kumkumpudi area, SP, Rahul Dev Sharma said. The Police party returned fire and later found two Maoists -- Gemmeli Narasing, a member of the Galikonda area committee with a reward of INR. 100,000 on his head, and a militia member, Muvvala Ambri, with injuries, Sharma said.

Two days after a major strike by the elite forces in the AOB area, in which 28 CPI-Maoist cadres were killed, the Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the CPI-Maoist has termed it a "fake encounter" and threatened to take "revenge" against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh. In a press release sent to the media and signed by CPI-Maoist Andhra Pradesh State committee official spokesman Shyam, the Maoists said the AOB encounter was a major covert operation, in which 6,000 Police personnel were used. He alleged that Police utilised the services of some covert operatives to lace the food served to the Maoists with sedatives, and gunned down the leaders and dalam members after they fell unconscious. In the five-page release, the Maoists said they would also eliminate former Naxalites who joined hands with the Police.

The CPI-Maoist has called for bandh in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra on November 3 to protest against the Malkangiri encounter in which 30 Maoists were killed. In a statement issued by Maoist's Central Committee, Pratap, a self-styled spokesperson, has given the bandh call in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The Maoist organisation also alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Central Government, along with Odisha and Andhra Pradesh Government's, were favouring Bauxite mining in the tribal area against the will of the locals. Yesterday, in an audio tape, CPI-Maoist East Division Committee 'secretary' Kailash held the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh responsible for the encounter.

Stating that there was no truth in the reports appearing in a section of the media that CPI-Maoist leader Ramakrishna alias RK was in the custody of the Police, Andhra Pradesh State Home Minister N. Chinarajappa, made it clear that combing operations were a continuous process. Briefing the media at the TDP office in Kakinada in East Godavari District, Rajappa said that some media organisations were carrying false reports about the encounter on the AOB.

AP Police informed the Hyderabad High Court that joint teams of AP and Odisha Police had to "fire in self-defence", which resulted in the death of 24 Maoists in Malkangiri District of Odisha area on October 24. AP Police, which filed a reply in the High Court, in response to a PIL submitted by Civil Liberties Committee, said that the incident of firing took place outside of the territory of AP, in Odisha. In the reply, Visakhapatnam Rural District SP, Rahul Dev Sharma, said that on October 24, they got information about the presence of Maoists in the AOB and Police parties of Odisha and AP reached the forest area of 'Ramagurah'. "On seeing the police parties, the Maoists, who were armed with latest automatic weapons, opened fire on the police parties resulting in injuries to two Greyhound Commandos, and one of them died. Despite the police calling upon the Maoists to surrender, they did not pay heed to the warning and continued firing, constraining the police parties to retaliate by counter-firing in self-defence," the SP said. As a result of this firing incident, some Maoists died and some more escaped. The incident was reported at Chitrakonda Police Station of Malkangiri District and a case was registered, which is under investigation by the Odisha Police. On ascertaining from the Chitrakonda Police, it was revealed that they found 24 bodies at the scene of offence (13 men and 11 women), the SP added. Civil rights activists had earlier moved the high court and filed a PIL seeking a thorough judicial probe into the incident. Advocate V Raghunath, on behalf of Civil Liberties Committee, had filed the litigation and demanded registration of murder cases against the AP Police. Seeking dismissal of the petition, Sharma said in the reply, "Police have not violated the law and the incident of firing has taken place in Odisha and is being investigated into. The writ petition seems to have been filed by twisting the facts of a legitimate joint-combing exercise and the counter-firing in self-defence." The court posted the matter for further hearing to November 8.

Top CPI-Maoist leader Ramakrishna aka RK's wife informed the Hyderabad HC, that her husband was "safe," and sought the court's permission to withdraw the habeas corpus petition she had filed earlier in this regard. "We informed the High Court that Ramakrishna is safe and said we got information last night that he is safe. We requested the court to permit us to withdraw the habeas corpus which is posted after two weeks," Kandula Sirisha told the court through her counsel V. Raghunath. Following the Police action on the Maoists in AOB on October 24, in which 24 Maoists were killed, doubts were expressed by the wife of RK, and relatives and party comrades that he might be in Police custody.

The DGP, N. Sambasiva Rao, said 100 new model Police Stations would be constructed across the State by December 31. DGP Rao conducted a surprise inspection of the construction work at Old Guntur and Nagarampalem stations. The two Police Stations were being upgraded into model Police Stations. Further, DGP Rao said security cordon around Ministers and MLAs had been beefed up in view of the increased threat perception in the aftermath of the encounter in which 31 CPI-Maoist cadres had been killed recently at AOB.

CPI-Maoist cadres held a Prajameli in the remote areas of Vishakhapatnam District. Sources said hundreds of supporters of the Rayat Kuli Sangha, a frontal organization of the CPI-Maoist, attended the meeting. They paid homage to the deceased Maoists and vowed to take on the State administrations. They condemned the action of the SF personnel of both the States. Meanwhile, SP, of Malkangiri District of Odisha, Mitrabhanu Mohapatra, asserted that security has been beefed up in the district mostly in the bordering areas. "There is no need to be panic. As people's support to Maoists is on the decline, the Maoists organised the rally against the Government after bringing together locals to generate a sense of fear among them," said Mohapatra. He said all the police posts in the district and anti-Maoist establishments have been asked to be extra vigilant. Combing operations have been intensified in border areas, added the SP.

The CPI-Maoist Central Committee has reportedly appointed Kakarala Madhavi as the AOB 'secretary', according to Intelligence sources. Madhavi replaces Bakuri Venkataramana alias Ganesh who was killed in the encounter at AOB between October 24 and 26. A native of Rajamahendravaram in East Godavari District, Madhavi served the party in different roles for about 10 years in Telangana, Odisha, Dandakaranya in Chhattisgarh and other areas. The Central Committee at a high-level meeting reportedly announced the appointment after the party suffered a major blow with the Police gunning down about 30 Naxalites in the encounter in Malkangiri District of Odisha between October 24 and 26. She is the daughter of a veteran Telugu film actor. Another senior Maoist leader Pothula Kalpana has been appointed in-charge of military operations in the area. Kalpana has been in the outfit for about 10 years. However, it is not clear whether Madhavi has been appointed for Malkangiri or East (Visakhapatnam and East Godavari) divisions.

"There is no Maoist presence in the region. The picturesque Nallamala hills can very well be developed into a tourist spot," said DGP, N. Sambasiva Rao, at a media conference at Ongole in Prakasam District. It was from Nallamala, the largest stretch of undisturbed forest, top Maoist leaders including Akkiraju Haragopal aka Ramakrishna aka RK, came out for talks with the then Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy Government in 2004. Justifying the combing operations along with Odisha in the AOB, he said only when peace prevailed in the State's neighbourhood; development would be possible in the State. They had even misled the High Court by first filing a habeas corpus petition and then withdrawing it, he said, adding "We are used to such tactics." "Vizag's safety is linked to that of our neighbour [Odisha]. We have made a lot of sacrifices to ensure a congenial climate for development in the State," he said referring to the long history of the Naxalite-Maoist insurgency in the united Andhra Pradesh.

The CPI-Maoist Central Committee member Ramakrishna's wife Sirisha and Paderu MLA, Giddi Eswari among those, who paid tributes to the slain Maoist leader Bakuri Venkataramana alias Ganesh at the memorial meeting at his native Bakuru village under Hukumpeta mandal in Visakhapatnam District, during the inauguration of the pylon in the memory of the tribal leader. Ganesh's widow Damayanti and his father Bakuri Narasimha Raju inaugurated the pylon. Anjam, 'president' of the Martyrs Family Members and Friends Committee, 'secretary' Padma Kumari and several people and party sympathisers were present at the meeting. Devendra, widow of another slain Maoist Gangadhar alias Prabhakar, said that the war against the poor tribals and the Maoists was to strengthen the Government in its efforts to mine bauxite in the Agency.

The 16th PLGA week is expected to be different this year, especially in the cut-off region of AOB area. Both the Police and LWE are in the preparatory mode to show their strength, and what makes the week different this year from the earlier ones, is that it is taking place after the recent string of encounters from October 24 to 27, in the cut-off region of AOB region, which left 30 Maoists dead, including top leaders such as Bakuri Venkata Ramana alias Ganesh and Samala Kistayya alias Daya. Both were of the rank of 'State Secretary' of the CPI-Maoist.

The District Police detected two heavily loaded IEDs planted by the CPI-Maoist cadres near Kumada village under the Kumada Gram Panchayat in the Munchingput mandal in the Visakha Agency of Vishakhapatnam District. This was the major incident reported so far during the Maoist party's PLGA week observance since December 2. Each landmine, kept three feet under the bitumen road, was packed with 20 kilograms of explosives. Since they could not be safely removed, the bomb disposal squad of the rural Police set them off under controlled and safe conditions, said Rahul Dev Sharma, SP, in a press release. Babujee Attada, ASP, (operations), supervised the operation of detection and blasting of the landmines. "The landmines were meant to attack the police but there is every possibility of innocent Girijans that walk on the road and vehicles that bring material to the weekly shandy getting killed if they are set off," Sharma said.

A CPI-Maoist couple belonging to the Sabari Area Committee surrendered to East Godavari District, SP, M Ravi Prakash. They were identified as Vetti Vungi alias Jyothi of Sangampadu Village and her husband, Madakam Bandi alias Kamalesh of Gollaguppa Village in Yetapaka Mandal. Addressing the media, Ravi Prakash said the Maoists carried a reward of INR 100,000 each on them. "Vetti Vungi (22) joined the Maoists when she was 15 years old following a dispute with her mother and influenced by then Sabari Dalam (armed squad) member Sharmila. She worked as a dalam member under commanders Naresh, Nagesh and Rajitha. She was involved in the exchange of fire at Baidichelma, Chhattisgarh, in 2013, attack on the State Police Camp at Dharmapenta in 2014, police camp attack at Pamedu, Chhattisgarh, in 2016, and Buttem encounter. She also planted explosives in Pega village in Chinturu Mandal of Andhra Pradesh in 2016.Her husband Madakam Bandi alias Kamalesh (22) joined the Dalam in 2015.He was involved in the kidnap of Uike Isaac, son of Lakshmipuram pastor Kannayya in 2015 and an exchange of fire at Buttem, Chhattisgarh."

Three 'landmines' reportedly placed by CPI-Maoist cadres were found in East Godavari District. 'Landmines' were on the main road between Bhadrachalam and Rajamahendravaram near Yedugurrallapalli in Chintur Mandal. The CPI-Maoist also hung banners to the trees near the village condemning the October 23 encounter on the Andhra-Odisha border in which 24 Maoists were killed. Chintur CI Durgaprasad said they got information that some wires were jutting out near the village main road which was dug up on the both sides. The local Police apprised East Godavari SP, M Ravi Prakash of the situation following which the SP directed the Police to cordon off the area and stop vehicular traffic and the bomb squad along with Greyhound Police from Kakinada diffused the land mines.

The CPI-Maoist, who suffered a major blow in a recent encounter with Police at the AOB, have allegedly targeted Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu and conducted a recce at the A.P. Bhavan in New Delhi. "Officials of the Ministry of Home have alerted us over the threat to Mr. Naidu and we are coordinating with the Delhi Police on increasing security cover for him at the A.P. Bhavan," DGP N. Sambasiva Rao said in Vijayawada. Intelligence sources said suspected Maoists conducted a 'recce' many times at the A.P. Bhavan, and the target might be the Chief Minister or other Ministers visiting the place. "We are on a high alert and are in contact with the Delhi Police. We will increase the security for Mr. Naidu, if necessary," the DGP said. Police were trying to collect the photographs of those who conducted the 'recce' through CCTV footage, report said.

DGP, N. Sambasiva Rao has said that the CPI-Maoist's UG cadres have come down to all-time low in Andhra Pradesh, which was once a stronghold for the Naxalite movement in Vijayawada at Krishna District. "The Left Wing Extremism (LWE) ideology is losing relevance and the Andhra Pradesh Police has succeeded in controlling Naxalite activities in the State," the DGP claimed in the year-ender press conference. According to DGP, Rao, 105 underground cadres of Naxals were operating in the State, of whom 45 are from Andhra Pradesh and 60 from outside. As many as 14 naxal-related incidents had been reported in the State this year as against 25 in 2015. "Naxalite movements are continuing in Visakhapatnam Rural, East Godavari and Vizianagaram Districts. But in Visakhapatnam Rural District, naxal activities were controlled well," Rao said appreciating the Police for taking initiatives such as skill development programmes, sports and other activities. "During our tenure as SPs in the State, naxal movement used to be very high and many police personnel lost their lives in the fight against then PWG. Due to the efforts of the Government, LWE has been controlled and tribal youth are not getting attracted towards Naxalism," the DGP recalled. PWG is also known as CPI-ML.