Date:16/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/03/16/stories/2004031602400600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Naxals injure ex-militant, burn TDP flagposts

By Our Staff Reporter

NALGONDA, MARCH 15. Naxalites of the People's War fired at a former militant at Choutuppal and destroyed five Telugu Desam Party flagposts at Devarakonda last night.

According to sources, a three-member action team of the Rachakonda dalam kidnapped R. Bhiksham (30), who had surrendered to the police in 1998 and was reportedly leading a peaceful life in Allapuram in Choutuppal mandal.

They took him to a secluded place near Brahmadevara gutta, a hillock in the interior parts of Malkapuram. The naxal team led by Golanukonda Chandraiah reportedly questioned him for about five hours to elicit information on the police movement. They fired two rounds at Bhiksham at close range and set his auto-rickshaw ablaze before leaving the place, the Circle Inspector, Amarkanth Reddy, said.