A Chhattisgarh native working as a courier for Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist-New Democracy (CPI-ML-New Democracy) underground faction was arrested by Police in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telengana on November 21, reports Telangana Today. The Naxal [Left Wing Extremist, LWE], identified as Sodi Gangaiah of Komatipalli of Usoor in Chhattisgarh, migrated to Laxmidevipalli in Bhadradri Kothagudem District 15 years back and was engaged in agriculture. Ramanna dalam (armed squad) of New Democracy contacted him in 2012 seeking to supply essential commodities, medicines and other material. One year back, the members of Ramanna dalam handed over a firearm to him and asked him to hide it and that they would take it back when required. He hid the firearm in his house. He was taken into custody when he was moving around suspiciously in Gattumalla forests, carrying a bag. During interrogation, he told the Police that he had a firearm in the bag and was going to nearby forest to bury it there, Laxmidevipalli CI (circle inspector) of Police, Ashok, said. Gangaiah was booked under relevant sections and was remanded to judicial custody.
Meanwhile, a Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) banner appeared on Telangana-Chhattisgarh borders, on November 21, accusing the Police of threatening traders attending weekly markets in Pamed and surrounding areas in Chhattisgarh State, reports Telangana Today. The banner was found on a road connecting Pamed and Tippapuram of Cherla Mandal (administrative sub-division) in Bhadradri Kothagudem District of Telangana. The banner bearing the name of Pamed Krantikari Janatana Sarkar (people’s government) of CPI-Maoist party alleged that Pamed Police have been preventing locals from doing business in the markets. The banner read that those attending the markets were being locked up in police stations accusing them of supporting Maoists while stating that the locals do not want pro-corporate development but need right on forests, water and land.