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Andhra Pradesh Timeline 2017

Date

Incidents

January 6

The UMHA flagged the operational efficiency of SFs in the Naxal-affected areas as one of its biggest achievements during a presentation before PM Narendra Modi. The Ministry informed Modi that since the NDA Government came to power in May 2014, there had been a 45 per cent increase in the efficiency of Central Forces (CFs) in operations against the Naxals. In a presentation made by Home Secretary, Rajiv Mehrishi, Modi and other officials were informed that the number of Naxal cadres killed in 2016 had been the highest ever in six years. Eighty-Four cadres of the CPI-Maoist were killed in 2015 and in 2016, the number swelled to 218, which was an increase of 160 per cent. There was also an increase in the number of Police encounter from 237 in 2015 to 316 in 2016. UHM Rajnath Singh told in a press conference earlier this week that demonetization had increased the problems of CPI-Maoist and that they had weakened. The EFC has already given the go-ahead for an ambitious road project in the 44 worst Naxal-affected Districts. Under this project, the Government proposes to construct 5,412 km of roads and 126 bridges and it would cost INR 117.25 million. The Government is redrawing the 'Red Corridor' - the area affected by LWE - and may soon take off 20 Districts from the list of Naxal-affected areas. The 106 Districts which span 10 States - Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh - constitute the Red Corridor. Of these, 44 Districts are said to be the worst affected. India has a total of 683 Districts.

January 10

Even as Andhra Pradesh DGP, N Sambasiva Rao, recently claimed that the CPI-Maoist numbers have dwindled specially after the major encounter at Ramaguda in Bejjangi area in Odisha in October 2016, the CPI-Maoist is reportedly planning to set up a 'Janatana Sarkar' in the AOB. Despite losing ground in places like Palnadu and the South Andhra Districts like Krishna and West Godavari in the last two decades, Maoists have till date managed to retain their hold in the AOB Districts like East Godavari and Visakhapatnam. According to sources, members of the division committee and red guerrillas have been continuously conducting meetings in the AOB villages.

UHM Rajnath Singh has said the Centre would establish Greyhounds Centre, sanction RAF and give one more CRPF battalion to curb terrorist and Naxal activities in Andhra Pradesh. UHM Singh laying the foundation stone for the construction of the campus for the NDRF 10th Battalion, at Kondapavuluru village in Gannavaram mandal, at a cost of INR 2 billion, said: "The Home Ministry has sanctioned more CRPF personnel for Andhra Pradesh and instructions have been given in this regard. Once elections are over in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and three other States the force will come to the State. The AP Government has sent a requisition for RAF and for setting up of Greyhounds, and we will look into the matter." The Greyhounds was doing good work in Telangana State (TS) in controlling the LWE, and the Greyhounds Centre would be on par with TS, UHM Singh said.

UHM Rajnath Singh has said that the menace of CPI-Maoist activities and infiltration into northeastern States came down drastically. Further he said that LWE declined by 55 per cent. Infiltration to northeastern States also decreased by over 70 per cent, he asserted.

January 16

The CPI-Maoist cadres of the AOBSZC warned Andhra University Professor Jarra Appa Rao, former Naxalite Pilli Venkateswarlu alias Satyam and TDP leader, SV Ramana, in Vishakhapatnam District. In a press release by the CPI-Maoist AOBSZC official spokesman Jagabandhu stated that these people were threatening local tribals and claiming that the banned outfit had permitted contractors to mine, following which they had set up crusher machines to extract granite and other reserves. Further, Jagabandhu stated, that Ramaguda encounter of October 24, 2016, in Odisha, was a pre-planned elimination of unarmed CPI-Maoist cadres by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Government.

Six tribals have been abducted by CPI-Maoist cadres from three interior villages of GK Veedhi in Visakhapatnam District. According to sources, the rebels had abducted six persons from Boddamanupakalu, Tukkagoi and PK Gudem by branding them as 'Police informers'. The Maoist cadres have informed the people to attend a meeting in the forest area of GK Veedhi and they were taken away by them from the spot. However, SP, Rahul Dev Sharma ruled out the kidnap angle. He said that no complaint was lodged by the locals about the kidnap. Rahul Dev also opined that after the recent kidnapping in Odisha, locals were exaggerating the incident as kidnapping.

January 25

Two militia members the CPI-Maoist surrendered before Paderu Sub-Division, DSP, M Mahendra in Vishakhapatnam District. The surrendered have been identified as V Nageswara Rao and K Bhagwan Rao (35). The duo was vexed with the stringent rules being followed by the dalam and they wanted to return to the social mainstream.

January 27

The Prakasam District Police unearthed huge cache of arms and ammunition in the Nallamala Forest near Palutla village in Yerragondapalem mandal in Prakasam District. SFs observed a few electrical wires popped out from earth. After digging at the place, they found 79 rounds of SLR, 31 rounds of .303 rifle, 17 rounds of 0.500 rifle, and three barrels of double barrel guns, two barrels of single barrel guns, two double trigger tapanchas and one charger in the dump. The Police suspect that the CPI-Maoist cadres made the dump around 2003, after inspection of the contents.

January 28

Osman Ali alias Raja (40), who has been serving as courier man for CPI-Maoist, surrendered in front of SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District. Osman Ali, is a native of Korukonda village under Chintapalli mandal, Visakhapatnam Agency, and is running a grocery shop in the village. The police said that Ali had served as Maoist courier between Maoist leader Krishna and others and he had supplied groceries and a few others to the Left Wing Extremists, for the last few years.

February 5

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal man identified as Parsika Pullaiah (45), in Chintoor Mandal (administrative unit) of agency area of East Godavari District. A group of four to six armed CPI-Maoist cadres surrounded Pullaiah in broad daylight, opened fire and fled. CPI-Maoist alleged Pullaiah as a 'Police informer'. East Godavari, SP, M Ravi Prakash told that Pullaiah was a trader working in Bhadrachalam for the past one year and was in no way connected to the Police.

February 8

The CPI-Maoist cadres killed a tribal trader identified as M Jeenabandhu (30) in the agency area of Munchingput mandal in Visakhapatnam District. The CPI-Maoist cadres killed him after branding him as a 'Police informer'.

February16

The CPI-Maoist cadres cut down trees at Pega and Edugurallapalli villages of Chintoor in East Godavari District. The trees obstructed the road transport between Bhadrachalam and Rajamahendravaram. SFs also recovered landmines from the spot. Each of these landmines has about 20 Kilogram explosives.

February19

A group of 40 Police personnel escaped a landmine blast triggered by CPI-Maoist cadres at Kaligonda forest area under Chintoor Police Station limits in East Godavari District. Chintoor SI, P Srinivasa Kumar, who headed the combing team, told that they suspected the Sabari Dalam of CPI-Maoist behind the blast.

February 20

Two militia cadres of PAC of the CPI-Maoist surrendered before the Rural Police at Paderu of Visakhapatnam Agency in Visakhapatnam District. They are identified as Korra Appa Rao (40) and Korra Chinna Rao (25) and are natives of Mandibha area of G Madugula Mandal in Visakhapatnam agency. The Maoist said that they were fed up with the CPI-Maoist ideology.

February 23

Suspecting them to be sympathisers of CPI-Maoist, Vizag Rural Police and Special Forces arrested up to 60 villagers in Koyyuru and GK Veedhi Mandals at Visakha Agency in Vishakhapatnam District. It is important to note that, two persons from GK Veedhi Mandal - Gemmela Ashok (32) and Pangi Naresh (25) - were arrested, on February 2, at Chitrakonda area in Odisha by SFs when they were allegedly purchasing food grains for Maoists.

The District administration of Vishakhapatnam District plans to set up around 200 mobile towers in the rural areas including a major portion of Visakha Agency to curb CPI-Maoist movement as well as address various other issues.

February 24

A team of Greyhounds, the elite anti-Naxal force of Andhra Pradesh Police, killed two Naxals in Visakhapatnam District. The slain Maoists were identified as Gemmeli Narayan Rao alias Jambri and Chittibabu. Jambri was a 'divisional committee member' of Galikonda area committee of the CPI-Maoist. Police recovered a Thompson sub-machine gun, a shotgun and three detonators. Jambri, native of Mettiguda under GK Veedhi Mandal in Vizag Agency area, carried a reward of INR 400,000 on his head. He had played a key role in the killing of 37 members of Greyhounds in Balimela in 2008.

February 27

A CPI-Maoist cadre, identified as Kotesu, died on the spot and a Sabari Committee 'militia commander', Kaaki Kannayya, suffered serious injuries while planting pressure bomb in East Godavari District. The spot where the incident took place was near National Highway 30.

March 4

Eight CPI-Maoist militia members surrendered before the Police in the Visakhapatnam District. Chintapalli Deputy DSP, Anil Pulaapaati said the CPI-Maoist militia members surrendered voluntarily at GK Veedhi Police Station limits. The eight members include Pangi Sobhan, Thambelu Lakshmana Rao, Korra Kameswara Rao, Vanthala Srinu, Lakshmana Rao, Malleswara Rao, Sana and Gemmali Balayya. All the surrendered Maoists hail from Lakkavarapu panchayat of Pedda Konda village, Pamurai village and Devarapalli villages of GK Veedhi in Visakhapatnam District of Andhra Pradesh.

March 18

A woman and four other cadres of CPI-Maoist surrendered before Vizag Rural Police on Vishakhapatnam District. The Maoists cited a range of reasons from ill-health to harsh treatment from their leadership which prompted their decision to surrender. The surrendered CPI-Maoist cadres are Gemmili Chandramma alias Akhila (33) of ACM of Kalimela (Odisha) Dalam 'commander' of Armed Militia Lasingi Matchayya (27) alias Matsya Raju, Korra Subba Rao (27) and his uncle Korra Lakshmana Rao (55) and Takkiri Hedbeen (33). Hedbeen surrendered due to harassment from Maoists.

March 22

The CPI-Maoist handed over the charge to Takkedapalli Vasudeva Rao aka Asanna as the new secretary of the east division. Asanna, the nephew of former AOBSZC member Gopanna, led the action team that attacked CM Chandrababu Naidu at Alipiri in Tirupati in 2003. He is known to be a mastermind of deadly surprise attacks. Asanna also was a member of the action team that killed former Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Madhava Reddy while he was returning from Bhuvangiri in 2000.

March 23

SFs of Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh found three arrow bombs used by CPI-Maoist cadres in Visakhapatnam District. These bombs were planned and designed in Visakha Agency. Arrow bombs were designed and tested in Vizag Agency 10 years ago. These bombs are aimed in the air and not directly at the target. The bombs are made with detonators which blasts on hitting the target, said a senior officer involved in the anti-Naxal operations.

March 30

The NIA suspects that the Kuneru rail accident in Andhra Pradesh, in which over 40 people were killed due to the derailment of the Jagdalpur-Bhubaneswar Express near Kuneru on January 22, was orchestrated by the CPI-Maoist, a FIR registered by the agency said. "The Central government is of the opinion that the act of derailment is a suspected terrorist act by Left Wing Extremists and is a scheduled offence under the NIA Act," an FIR registered by the NIA said. A senior NIA official said it was preliminary information and the probe was yet to be completed and they were exploring all angles. Since the area is close to the Maoist-affected zone, the suspicion of their involvement cannot be ruled out, said an official.

April 2

The SIB Police officials arrested three Naxalites belonging to the CPI-ML New Democracy from Kamayyakunta and Kannapuram villages in Buttayagudem and Koyyalagudem mandals in West Godavari District. According to information, three Naxalites of the Chandranna Dalam, Karam Kannayya, Madakam Ramarao alias Ramanna, Chimala Vasantha Rao tried to extort money from a timber merchant in Kannapuram village. The SIB team raided on the cashew garden and took Kannayya into their custody. Later, the team tapped the mobiles of other persons and arrested them in Kannapuram village of Koyyalagudem mandal. The team had received information that these three Chandranna dalam cadres of CPI-ML New Democracy have planned to kill a timber trader at Kannapuram village, suspecting him as 'Police informer'. They seized one pistol, 10 rounds bullets from the LWEs.

April 9

An exchange of fire took place between cadres of the CPI-Maoist and the District Police at an unspecified area under Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District. Police also recovered nine kit bags, cooked food along with explosives.

April 20

Visakha Rural Police resumed their efforts to set up a Police outpost at Darakonda in GK Veedhi Mandal in Vishakhapatnam District. A Police team visited Dabbakota and Rolugunta villages, 3 Kilometers from Darakonda village, to identify a suitable place for the Police outpost. There was an outpost at Darakonda village around 17 years ago, but the CPI-Maoist cadres blew it up and killed seven security personnel in February 2000. Keeping that incident in mind, locals fear that Maoists may increase their presence in the area and plan explosions if the Police set up an outpost.

April 21

CM N Chandrababu Naidu and some Police officers are on the "hit list" of the CPI-Maoist cadres, Andhra Pradesh DGP N Sambasiva Rao told to reporters in Visakhapatnam District.

April 25

The Police have sounded a red alert in the AOB area and in the Agency areas of East Godavari District, especially those bordering Chhattisgarh, post the Sukma attack on April 24. Additional contingents of the Greyhounds, AP Special Police, Special Parties, and CRPF have been deployed in all the Naxal- affected areas. Security has been scaled up at all the 11 Police Stations and the two outposts at Rallagedda in Chintapalle Mandal and Rudakota in Pedabayalu Mandal, in the AOB region.

April 29

An armed militia squad of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze earthmoving equipment near Busuputtu hamlet in Munchingput Mandal in Visakhapatnam District. About 12 to 15 armed militia cadres poured petrol on the earthmoving vehicle parked on the side of a road that was being built and set it on fire, after threatening the driver and the other staff.

May 5

A Home Guard, identified as Sheikh Valli, was killed in a landmine blast triggered by the CPI-Maoist cadres on the Lothugedda junction-Balapam stretch in Visakhapatnam District. The impact of the blast was so strong that the remains of Valli's body and the SUV he was travelling in were scattered everywhere. Sources said the landmine was at least four years old as the road was laid at least three times in the last four years. The police have deployed special parties to intensify combing operations in Visakha Agency following the incident.

May 9

A high alert has been sounded in Nallamala forest region spreading across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Vigil has been stepped up for the CPI-Maoist cadres suspecting that the they will pay tribute to their comrades during the Martyrs' week, commencing from May 24, as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Naxalbari Movement.

May 21

The appearance of CPI-Maoist posters in Yedugurrallapalli in Chinturu mandal in East Godavari District put the Police on high alert and they intensified combing operations in mandals bordering Chhattisgarh. The Maoists have called upon tribals to join the diamond jubilee celebrations of the Naxalbari movement and pinned posters to trees in Baddugudem hamlet of Yedugurrallapalli village in the District. The Charla and Sabari area Dalams of the Maoist party has called for weeklong celebrations of the Naxalbari movement.

May 23

The SFs involved in anti-Naxal operations in the Visakhapatnam District would get technical and sophisticated arms support from Israel. A two-member Israeli team conducted an aerial survey of Visakha agency regarding the support.

June 3

Four CPI-Maoist cadres, including a woman, surrendered before the SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District. SP, Sharma said the Maoists were "disillusioned" by their leaders as they were coercing the tribal people into killing their own community members and leaders. Korra Chellamma alias Amrutha (24) of Landula village of Pedabayalu mandal, was a cut-off area member with the AOBSZC and had a reward of INR 100,000 on her head. The other three Maoists were militia members of the Galikonda Dalam. Pangi Ramana (36) of Vantamarri village of Koyyuru mandal was a pocket militia member of Annavaram village. Pangi Raja Rao (35), who is also from Vantamarri, was a Maoist panchayat committee member of Budharalla. Tambelu Dasu (23) of Pakalapalem of Koyyuru mandal was a militia member of the Galikonda dalam. He was a militia member from 2009 to 2017.

June 20

Seven CPI-Maoist sympathisers from Odisha border surrendered before the SP, LKV Ranga Rao in Vizianagaram District. They were vexed with the way the Maoists were functioning, said a release issued by the Police department. Identities of those surrendered have been kept in wraps as the District Police do not wish to endanger their lives. Even their place of residence has been kept a secret.

June 22

The Adivasi Adhikar Rashtriya Manch (AARM) urged the Government to initiate a dialogue with all the forces, including the CPI-Maoist that does not have faith in the Constitution to join the mainstream. The third national conference of the AARM held at Ukkunagaram in Visakhapatnam District, appealed to the Government to withdraw cases "framed" against innocent adivasis in Chhattisgarh and other States branding them as supporters of the Maoists.

June 25

The CPI-Maoist has released a letter to media, addressing that Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads and Building Chintakayala Ayyanna Patrudu's son Chintakayala Vijay has huge amounts of share in the illegal quarry diggings in Sarugudu village of GK Mandal in Visakhapatnam District. Extending their support to Girijans in the area, Maoists told Vijay to mend his ways else threatened with dire consequences. The letter also alleged that Vijay & co is behind the illegal quarry digging in the region and even accused them of threatening the local media persons who go against them. The letter said to have come from Kailash, Maoist Party's East Division Secretary. He demanded to immediately stop the diggings in Sarugudu and Rajapaka and threatened with severe consequences if they go ahead ignoring the 'orders'.

July 24

Police unearthed a CPI-Maoist dump consisting spare parts of rocket launcher from the forests close to Ganepalle village near Ardhaveedu in Prakasam District. SP, B. Satya Yesu Babu told that a special Police team was combing the Nallamala forests when they chanced upon milk cans which contained rocket launcher spare parts, hidden probably during 2002 when the Maoists were active in the forests.

The Chintooru Police arrested a supply team 'commander' of the CPI-Maoist, Madivi Maasa alias Mahesh (21) in East Godavari District. Maasa was working as a 'supply team commander' of CPI-Maoist's SZCM and DKSZCM battalion. Police claimed that Maasa was involved in an attack on CRPF personnel in Burkapal area of Chhattisgarh in which over 24 personnel were killed in April this year.

July 28

Around 700 to 1,000 villagers attended the programme held by the CPI-Maoist of the East Division near Chintapalli in Visakhapatnam District. The CPI-Maoist cadres warned the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Governments that they would pay a heavy price for Ramaguda encounter where 31 CPI-Maoist cadres were gunned down in October 2016. The CPI-Maoist cadres vowed to continue their struggle and carry forward the ideology of their fallen comrades. The slogan, "All natural resources of the forest belong to tribals," was raised. Red salutes were also given to Maoists who were killed at Rayagada, Gorrelametta, Kappatotti and Koraput.

July 29

The Police had already taken measures to check any untoward incidents and intensified combing operations along the AOB region in Andhra Pradesh. The posters had photographs of 12 persons who had been killed by the Maoists, with names, villages and Districts they hailed from. Among them, five were from Visakhapatnam District, two from East Godavari, one from Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh, and two each from Koraput and Malkangiri Districts of Odisha.

July 30

Five cadres of the CPI-Maoist hailing from Ranga Bayalu Panchayat of Munchingput Mandal in Visakhapatnam District surrendered before DSP, Mahendra Mathe. The surrendered cadres, who used to extend logistics support to the CPI-Maoist cadres, were identified as Mandi Musiri (35), Vantala Singru (30), Mandi Janbri (30), Mandi Subba Rao (32), and Mandi Rama Chandhar (25).

Posters condemning the killing of innocent people in the name of 'Police informers' appeared on inter-State road transport services operating from Andhra Pradesh to Koraput District in Odisha and Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh. As per rumours, the posters, appearing in both Odiya and Telugu languages, might have been printed and pasted by the Police of these three Maoist-hit States or organisations opposing the CPI-Maoist activities.

August 9

The Centre Government of India has allotted a CRPF battalion to provide security for Andhra Pradesh Secretariat, Chief Minister's residence and the Camp Office located in the capital region in Guntur District. The battalion is the first central force allotted to the State capital. The 39th Battalion, comprising 1,000 personnel, will also take up anti-Naxal operations in Telangana and Chhattisgarh borders and on the AOB region. The State Government has allocated land for the battalion headquarters at Chinavutapalli in Krishna District, and 15 acres has been allotted to the force at Newgondlapalli village near Agiripalli in the District, said its Commandant V.V.N. Prasanna Kumar.

August 17

The cadres of the CPI-Maoist are moving towards Araku region in Vishakhapatnam District. SP, (Visakha Rural), Rahul Dev Sharma said that the CPI-Maoist cadres either trying to regain some of their lost ground or diverting the attention of the SFs. Sources said that some senior leaders of the CPI-Maoist have been leading the force to set up the new base in Araku Region, which was close to Nandapur block in Odisha, where the presence of the CPI-Maoist cadres is more. The Maoists presence has increased in Araku and Chatuva area of Odisha.

August 31

The AP Police pasted posters alleging atrocities by the cadres of the CPI-Maoist at villages such as GK Veedhi, Chintapalli, G. Madugula and Munchingput in Visakhapatnam District. Police pasted posters to spread the message of goodwill and the "ill-effects" of joining the Maoist movement. Supporting the ideological war, SP (Vizag rural) Rahul Dev Sharma says, "The idea of the Maoists is to lure the youth into their fold. We do not want that to happen. The Maoists say that there is a need for doctors, not roads, in interior villages. We counter the argument by saying without roads it is not possible to build clinics and post doctors. The Adivasis support our idea." Sources in the SIB say, the ideological counter strategy, after the Ramgarh exchange of fire in the AOB region in October last, has hit the Maoist movement. The ultras have stepped up their movement in the AOB region, thanks to the monsoon, but are unable to get the desired number of new recruits, says an officer.

September 1

The Police arrested Pathi Srinivas Reddy, a graduate, on the charge of extorting money by posing himself as Muppalla Lakshmana Rao aka Ganapathi, the General Secretary and Central Committee member of the CPI-Maoist, in Krishna District. A native of Veenavanka mandal in Karimnagar District of Telangana, Srinivas Reddy was involved in nine such offences at Veenavanka, Hanuman Junction, and Hanamkonda in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

September 7

About 10 armed militia cadres of the CPI-Maoist set ablaze four earth-moving equipments (two each in Nurmati and Pulusumamidi) in the G. Madugula Mandal of Visakhapatnam District. However, no one was hurt in the incident. DIG, Visakhapatnam Range Ch. Srikanth said, "Maoists generally destroy equipment used for laying roads. Their action could be intentional or even a mistake." A senior Police officer said the incident could also be a bait to lure the forces into the forest for a probable ambush. The Police are aware of the presence of a few top leaders such as Central Committee member Chalapathi and Gajarla Ravi or Uday, in charge of the AOBSZC.

September 19

The SIB of Andhra Pradesh is tracking the investment links of the cadres of CPI-Maoist. The arrest of Buriyari Narayana and Satyanarayan Reddy, CPI-Maoist cadres from Telangana, in Jharkhand on August 30, has put the intelligence agencies on an alert and it is learnt that they are now probing the investment links of the CPI-Maoist, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. A senior officer from the intelligence department in Visakhapatnam said many top leaders were on the radar amid indications of investments in real estate and gold, through a chain of networks. As per reports, many senior leaders have investment links and they retain about 20 to 30% of what is collected in the form of extortion.

September 26

Five militia members and CPI-Maoist sympathisers of Pungutta, a border village of Chhattisgarh and who participated in the Maoist activities, surrendered before SDPO, O. Dilip Kiran in East Godavari District. The militia members identified as Diridi Gangayya, Muchika Madayya, Kunja Raju, Punem Raju and Sode Idamaih, surrendered following motivation and counselling by the Chintur Police.

October 10

The DGP's of four Maoist-affected States - Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh - discussed about various issues related to movement of Maoists, ganja transportation and other issues here at a resort near Bhogapuram mandal in Vizianagaram District. The DGPs' reportedly discussed about precautionary measures to be taken as the Naxals are gearing up for the first anniversary of the martyrs of Ramaguda encounter. The meeting reportedly concentrated on the LWEs and coordination between the States, besides discussions on present scenario of the Naxal movement.

The CPI-Maoist in Andhra Pradesh extended its support to academic Kancha Ilaiah in the backdrop of threats hurled at him following a book written by him on Vaishya community and gave a call to people and democrats to stand by him. The CPI-Maoist condemned the threats as undemocratic saying people who had objections were free to present their arguments. The threats against Prof. Ilaiah were part of a larger conspiracy by Sangh Parivar, State and Central Governments to curb voices against superstitious beliefs and unscientific thinking, a press release by CPI-Maoist's official spokesman Jagan stated.

October 11

The CPI-Maoist cadres allegedly blasted the BSNL cell tower at Darakonda area under GK Veedhi Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District. Police suspected that a group of armed Maoists, including militia members, moved into the Darakonda area and blasted the equipment of cell tower to disturb the communication system and fled from the spot.

October 16

Gampa Lova Srinu (29) was killed by the CPI-Maoist cadres on the AOB near the Korukonda tribal hamlet, in Balapam panchayat of Chintapalli mandal in Visakhapatnam District. Srinu was killed by the Maoists suspecting him to be a 'Police informer', Police said. Srinu had gone to Korukonda tribal market, where he ran a small business and while returning home, a group of Maoists, believed to be members of the Korukonda Area Committee, abducted and later killed him, Police added. Chintapalli CI, A Chandrasekhara Rao said a letter was found near the body, which was written by Ramana, 'secretary' of Korukonda Area Committee.

October 27

The Razole Police arrested three members of a five-member gang, two of them former members of the CPI-Maoist, on the charges of possessing unlawful weapons, and resorting to abduction, extortion, and robbery in East Godavari District. The arrestees are identified as Sagiraju Appala Trinadha Varma (35), a native of I. Polavaram in East Godavari District and resident of Srinagar Colony in Hyderabad, Karla Raji Reddy (54), of Vattipalli village in Siddipeta District of Telangana and Isthari Venu Madhav (48), of Kadavandi village in Janagam District of Telangana, both former members of the Giraipalli dalam and Palakurthi dalam of the CPI-Maoist. Two pistols, 18 rounds of cartridges seized from their possession. The Police were yet to arrest Mani Kumar and Ratnakumar.

November 1

Four cadres of Galikonda dalam of the CPI-Maoist, identified as Korra Balaram alias Chitri (28), Korra Sathi alias Barasu alias Ko-Ko (30), both 'section commanders', Pangi Ganesh alias Gaddar (26) and Dippala Venkat Rao (27), both dalam members, surrendered before SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District. All of the four cadres belonged to Pedapadu village of G.K. Veedhi in Visakhapatnam Agency and carried a reward of INR 100,000 each on their heads. They have cited disillusionment with the ideology and family pressures among the reasons for their surrender. "The Maoists had been in the dalam for the last seven to 10 years and have a number of cases against them. Korra Balaram who joined the dalam in 2009, has 10 cases against him, including three murders. Balaram was involved in the murder of Vanthala Malathi at Kothapalem in 2009, elimination of three villagers at Saagulu near Lakkavaram in 2013 and the murder of businessman Makkali Satyanarayana at Kumkumpudi last year," SP, Rahul Dev Sharma said.

Only 10 hardcore Maoist leaders are left in north coastal Andhra Pradesh and close to AOB zone and each must be having eight to 10 followers, according to SP, Rahul Dev Sharma. "After suffering a heavy blow in the last year's Baliguda encounter, they are trying to regroup and strengthen their base. Dwindling funds and frequent surrenders have weakened them in the region," he was saying while producing four Maoists who surrendered to the Police before media.

The Chintooru Police arrested Gundi Chalapathi (34), who joined the CPI-Maoist in 2014 and presently working as supply committee member and supplying diesel, electrical wire bundles and medicines to the Maoists from Chintooru mandal in East Godavari District. SP, Vishal Gunni, charged Chalapathi with transaction banned currency notes worth INR 2.5 million with the help of middlemen and handed over the valid currency to Maoists during the demonetisation period. He said that following a tip-off, the Etapaka Police conducted a vehicle check at Kannayigudem and arrested Chalapathi on suspicion. During the questioning, he confessed to his offence to the Police.

November 13

Five CPI-Maoist militia members of the Galikonda and Korukonda area committees of the CPI-Maoist in Visakhapatnam Agency surrendered before the SP, Rahul Dev Sharma in Visakhapatnam District. The surrendered militia members were Gemeli Ramesh (18), Musiri Appalanaidu (20) and Musiri Ramakrishna (20), hailing from Nallabelli area in Koyyuru mandal of Galikonda area committee. They allegedly extended logistics support to the Maoists, put up Maoist posters and were involved in a few other offences. They reportedly joined the outfit around three years ago. The two others were Killo Bangru (28) and Gemeli Venkateswara Rao (29), hailing from Chintapalli mandal. The duo was allegedly involved in the offences which include the killing of home guard Sheikh Valli by planting and triggering a landmine in the AOB area close to Ramaraopalem in Annavaram Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam Agency this year.

December 3

Three CPI-Maoist cadres surrendered before the SP of East Godavari District. The surrendered Maoists included Madivi Jogayya alias Roshan and his lover Kaluma Pojja alias Radha. Roshan who belongs to Gasampadu village of Sukma District, Chhattisgarh, was associated with Kistaram LGS in Gollapalli area since 2011. The main reason for Jogayya's decision to surrender was that he had fallen in love with Seenam 'dalam' member Radha who belongs to Jaggaram village of Yetapaka mandal of East Godavari District. Another CPI-Maoist cadre who surrendered is Sunnam Nagesh from Gangileru village of Sukma District. He was working as a courier supplying various items, including medicines, food items, electric wires, edible oils, electronic items and red cloth banner bundles and Jaggery since 2014, to CPI-Maoist dalams.

December 5

The CPI-Maoist cadres and Andhra Pradesh Police personnel exchanged fire in the Nalubari forest area of Pedabayalu mandal in Visakhapatnam District. "After the exchange of fire, the Maoists fled from the spot. As of now, we do not have any information about the casualties. It will be confirmed by the evening. Combing operations have been intensified after the incident," a senior officer of Visakhapatnam Rural Police said. According to sources, around 30 Maoists opened fire on a special party Police team which was combing the forest area in view of the ongoing 'PLGA Week' from December 2 to 8. The Maoists allegedly blasted a landmine near Jakkam village in Injari Panchayat of Pedabayalu mandal in the AOB region. The exchange of fire is the first untoward incident reported from the Andhra side of the AOB region after the 'PLGA Week' began.

December 6

Three CPI-Maoist militia members, including two women, surrendered before Rural Police of Visakhapatnam District. The members have been allegedly involved in number of offences, including exchange of fire at several places. The surrendered militia members have been identified as V. Seetha alias Vanaja (20) of Saluru mandal in Vizianagaram District, G Eswara Rao (26) of Dumbriguda mandal of Visakhapatnam District and V. Sobhana (32) of Pedabayalu mandal of Visakhapatnam District. According to SP, Visakhapatnam Rural, Rahul Dev Sharma, Vanaja reportedly has been in the Dalam between 2012 and 2016 in Galikonda Area Committee. She was allegedly involved in exchange of fire that occurred near Siribala in 2015 and Palasamudram in 2016. Eswara Rao joined the Dalam in 2005 and was in it till 2008 in Galikonda, East division. He allegedly took part in two exchanges of fire - Nallaballi in 2005 and Kannavaram in 2007. He was also allegedly involved in a arson at Gorlemetta and few others. Sobhana reportedly worked in the Dalam from 2003 to 2008. She allegedly arranged Maoist meetings from 2004 to 2005 near Killamkota. In 2008, she had been in three months remand over murder of Pangi Krishna Rao at Busiputtu.

December 8

Suspected CPI-Maoist cadres gunned down two youth, identified as K. Suryachandra Babu alias Suryam (26) and M. Kishore (22), both hailing from Maddigaravu, after allegedly branding them 'Police informers', near Chapagedda Bridge in Maddigaravu village under G. Maduguala Police Station limits in Visakhapatnam District. The incident took place on the concluding day of the 17th annual 'PLGA Week'. The Police suspect that the CPI-Maoist had killed the youth only to make their presence felt in the Agency as the victims were not 'Police informers'. A group of 60 armed and unarmed Maoists, led by Pedabayalu Area Committee 'commander' Sudheer, entered Maddigaravu at around 11.30 p.m. and picked up the youngsters from their homes, ignoring the pleas of their family members that they had nothing to do with the Police. They took them to Chapagedda Bridge and pumped bullets into them, saying they had tipped off the Police about their movements.

December 12

Four tribals who were working as CPI-Maoist couriers surrendered before the Police at Y. Ramavaram Police Station in East Godavari District. The four surrendered CPI-Maoist couriers identified as Korra Bangarraju, Korra Salupu, Gammila Ramesh, and Manga, were reportedly involved in supply of ration and medicines to a dalam of the CPI-Maoist. The surrendered tribals will be rehabilitated as per the policy of Government, said Ravi Shankar, OSD, Operations.

A court in Visakhapatnam District granted bail to CPI-Maoist 'Politburo member', Kobad Ghandy, in a case related to recovery of arms and explosives. A case was registered against him by the Vizag Police for carrying out weapons and explosives. He was in Visakhapatnam jail since April 4, 2017. There are eight cases against him and he was sentenced to eight years in various jails. All his cases are related to CPI-Maoist activities.

December 18

Two CPI-Maoist cadres identified as Gemmali Kishore aka Chittibabu aka Balarevula Kishore (22) and Sindri Shobhan (37), natives of Koyyuru area in Vizag Agency, have surrendered before the Police in Visakhapatnam District. Kishore is the former gunman of CPI-Maoist Ramachandra Reddy aka Chalapathi for eight months, and participated in the plenary of the CPI-Maoist as an active member from 2012 to 2015 of CPI-Maoist in Abujhmaad region of Chhattisgarh. Sobhan was also a member of Annavaram Dalam from 2013 to 2017. Kishore, an 'Area Committee Member (ACM)' rank of CPI-Maoist in Galikonda Area Committee, carried a reward of INR 4,00,000 on his head, was involved in over eleven offences including killing of three BSF personnel in Palagarevu area near the Odisha Border in 2014 and exchange of fire in 2015. Shobhan was involved in over five offences in the past few years and carried a reward of INR 100,000 announced by the Government, said Rahuldev Sharma, SP, Visakhapatnam.

December 22

A team of armed CPI-Maoist cadres set ablaze an earthmover in an attempt to stall construction of a three-km-long road, from Kumkumpudi to Teemulabanda, near Kumkumpudi village in GK Veedhi Mandal of the Agency area in Visakhapatnam District. The contractor reportedly had asked workers to keep their vehicles near the GK Veedhi Police Station and park the earth mover at Kumkumpudi after noticing a mechanical fault in the vehicle. The Maoists have been opposing the laying of the road and threatening the contractor, notwithstanding the demand for road connectivity by local people. The Maoists also tried to abduct the brother of a local politician in GK Veedhi mandal in the Agency area. Following these incidents, Police intensified combing operations in the AOB region.


Source: Figures are compiled from news reports and are provisional.

 

 

 

 

 
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