Date:18/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/18/stories/2005041804150600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Four Maoists killed in encounter, combing operations on

Staff Reporter

Combing stepped up in Visakha agency

VISAKHAPATNAM: Four Maoists, including three women cadre, were killed in an encounter with the police near Gunukurai village in Gudem Kotha Veedhi mandal on Sunday.

A combing party came face to face with the Maoists, suspected to be members of the Korukonda dalam, at around 10.30 a.m. "The Maoists opened fire at our men and ignored our calls to surrender. The police retaliated and after the exchange of fire that lasted 15 minutes, the bodies of the four Maoists were found,'' the Superintendent of Police, Sanjay Kumar Jain, said. Six other Maoists, however, managed to escape.

After the incident, the DIG of Visakhapatnam Range, Madan Mohan, conferred with Mr. Jain and other senior officials.

The police seized two 303 rifles, one DBBL and six kitbags from the encounter site. The identities of the slain Maoists could not be immediately established.

The SP said a red alert was sounded after the incident.

Intensified combing

The police, particularly personnel from Greyhounds, had intensified combing operations in the agency, particularly in Gudem Kotha Veedhi, Chintapalle, Koyyuru, Annavaram and other strongholds of the CPI (Maoist) after a seven-hour road blockade by naxals on Friday in the Sileru area. One patient going to a hospital in an ambulance died of shock after the Maoists fired indiscriminately at vehicles which ignored their call to stop.

Sources said police parties were combing extensively in vulnerable areas in small groups on foot to avoid drawing the attention of the Maoists and their sympathisers, who have a good courier network in the entire Eastern Ghats.

Extortion bid

Kurnool Staff Reporter adds:

Two unidentified persons went to the house of MPTC, Noor Ahmed at Atmakur on Saturday night and demanded payment of Rs. 5 lakhs. They identified themselves as activists of the CPI(Maoist) and tried to whisk him away. However, Noor Ahmed caught hold of them and raised an alarm.

When neighbours rushed out of their houses, the duo escaped leaving behind two firearms. As neighbours were examining the weapons, one of them went off, injuring a youth.

The police said the weapons were used only for hunting and did not bear signs of those used by extremists.