Date:01/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/01/stories/2004120107570500.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Bravery award for Anantapur girl

By Our Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR, NOV. 30. Geethanjali, a 17-year-old girl of Ralla Anantapuram village of Kambadur mandal, has been selected for the prestigious `Geeta Chopra National Bravery Award' for the year 2003 for showing exemplary courage in saving the former TDP legislator of Kalyanadurg, A. Saradamba, from the clutches of the People's War naxalites in June 2003.

According to the Superintendent of Police, R.S. Praveen Kumar, the PW naxalites tried to abduct the former legislator when she was on a visit to the village on June 23 in 2003. The girl resisted the naxalites' attempt, leading to a revolt among the people to drive away the naxalites.

Daring act

The naxalites had threatened the legislator, snatched the revolver of her gunman and took her away to some distance. A youth was also killed when the naxalites opened fire on the villagers when they tried to foil the abduction bid.

In such a situation, Geethanjali proceeded towards the naxalites and bit the hand of a naxal who was holding the legislator hostage by pointing a gun at her. After biting the naxalite's hand, the girl had a scuffle with the naxalites, which prompted the villagers to revolt against the naxalites, leading to the rescue of the legislator.

Kalam to give award

The villagers also snatched the guns of the naxalites. Later, the district police recommended the girl's name for the bravery award. She would receive the award at the hands of the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, during the Republic Day parade at New Delhi on January 26, 2005.

"I am proud to be honoured with the award for rescuing the legislator,'' the girl said while reacting to the award.