Date:10/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/10/stories/2005051011110400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Minister returns after landmine scare

Staff Reporter

KURNOOL: The Minister for Lift Irrigation, M. Mareppa, had to cut short his journey to Velugodu on Monday after the police alerted him of a possible landmine threat.

The Minister was to inaugurate the mandal office at Velugodu and take part in Praja Patham. While on his way to the town on the fringes of Nallamala forests, Mr. Mareppa received an alert call from a top police official that the journey was not safe in view of traces of underground explosives near Nallakalva.

The police were said to have found pits used for planting landmines near the village. Some suspicious objects were said to have been recovered from a culvert.

Meanwhile, the Atmakur MLA, E. Pratap Reddy, took part in the programme at Velugodu and inaugurated the building.