Date:19/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/19/stories/2005051909830400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Villagers shut the door on naxals

Staff Reporter

KARIMNAGAR: Villagers of interior Adavimutharam mandal headquarters raised the banner of revolt against naxalites for obstructing development in the region by organising a rally on Wednesday.

Villagers of 14 villages in the mandal vowed not to entertain naxalites and provide food and shelter for them. Anyone violating the decision would be imposed a fine of Rs. 500.

These villages do not have a MRO, MDO, primary health centre and other facilities. The MRO and MDO offices are being operated from Kataram mandal, which is some 15 km from Adavimutharam. People's representatives, including MPPs and sarpanches, sought shifting of MRO and MDO offices in the mandal headquarters. They also sought a police station in the mandal. Responding to the villagers' plea on transport facilities, the Kataram CI, Md. Habeeb Khan, spoke to the RTC authorities and saw that a bus was provided. The ASP, Ch. Srikanth, called upon villagers to approach the police for the redressal of any grievance.