The Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) called for a bandh (general shutdown strike) in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha on May 25, condemning the encounter reported from Kituba area under Padua Police Station limits in Koraput District of Odisha on May 8, in which five Maoists were killed, reports The Hindu. Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC) ‘secretary’ Ganesh also released a two-page letter, opposing the encounter and accused the political parties of looting natural resources in Pandua region. He appealed to the tribal people to take part in the bandh. Following the letter, security has been stepped up along the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) area and combing operations in the forest region have been intensified.