The banned Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) are again trying to get back their foothold in Telangana while Police have also become active in thwarting their efforts, reports Deccan Chronicle on September 29. About 15 years ago, cadres of CPI-Maoist had been quite active in Telangana, especially in agency and forest areas. They terrorised people, particularly contractors and public representatives, and collected “donations” from them. But following concerted strategies implemented by Police after formation of Telangana State, the banned extremist organisation lost its grip and shifted base to neighbouring Chhattisgarh State. However, several incidents in recent past indicate that they are trying to make their presence felt again. One of them is an encounter last August between Police and members of the Maoist group in the forest region of Damera Thogu and Chimalapadu in Gundala Mandal (administrative subdivision) on borders of Mulugu and Bhadradri Kothagudem Districts. There were no casualties or injuries on both sides. Recently, Venkatesh, ‘secretary’ of ‘Bhupalpally-Mahabubabad-Warangal-Peddapalli (BMWP) division committee’ of Maoists, released a letter demanding that Ramagundam Member of legislative Assembly (MLA) Korakanti Chander Patel return ₹45 crore allegedly collected by him and his henchmen from unemployed youth to get them jobs in Ramagundam Fertiliser Company Limited (RFCL). Venkatesh alias Kakanala Raji Reddy alias Dharmanna, went on to mention names of MLA's relatives, followers and company contractors who had allegedly benefitted. He warned each of them to reimburse the money collected to unemployed youth or face consequences. In the interim, intelligence department has cautioned officials of Godavari catchment area to be cautious as two Maoist groups – Adelgu and Mangula, have infiltrated into Telangana State. Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Sadaiah of Mahabubabad District said after a long break, Maoist groups that had shifted from Telangana to neighbouring States are trying to enter the State again.