Vijaywada: A day after losing the party’s central committee member Madhvi Hidma, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) may also have lost its newly appointed general secretary Devji in the forests along the Andhra Pradesh-Odisha border on Wednesday morning.
The police confirmed that 6-7 Maoists were killed in the continuing operation by security forces. Devji could be among the dead.
Mahesh Chandra Laddha, ADG (Intelligence), Andhra Pradesh, told reporters that another encounter took place at dawn Wednesday between security forces and the Maoists along the Andhra–Odisha border (AOB). Initial inputs indicate that six to seven Maoists were killed in the exchange of fire. He urged the remaining cadres to surrender for their own safety.
The ADG said Mao
ist groups have been attempting to enter Andhra Pradesh from Chhattisgarh and Telangana, prompting heightened surveillance.
He said an operation was launched on November 17, followed by an encounter on the morning of November 18 in Alluri Sitarama Raju district. In that encounter, Hidma and five other rebels were killed.
Fifty people have also been arrested across NTR, Krishna, Eluru, Kakinada and Konaseema districts. They include three members of the Special zonal committee and 23 platoon members. Large quantities of weapons and explosives were seized, Laddha said, adding that the arrests were made without causing harm to civilians.
The ADG also confirmed that after the Maredumilli encounter on Tuesday, some Maoists managed to escape. Special teams have been deployed to track them down.
After being driven out of their forest hideous, the Maoists may seek shelter in nearby towns and cities. Security has been tightened accordingly.
“Another exchange of fire occurred early this morning. We have information that six to seven Maoists were killed. It is advisable for the remaining members to surrender,” the ADG said regarding Wednesday’s operation.