Date:26/12/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/12/26/stories/2005122607740600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Maoists gun down four RPF men

Staff Reporter

Rs. 12 lakhs meant for disbursement of salary to railway staff looted

VISAKHAPATNAM: Maoists killed four Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel, including an ASI, and blasted Genco's main control room and guesthouse in Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts, in the early hours of Sunday.

While the police and CRPF foiled the Maoists' attempt to blast the Sileru police station in Visakhapatnam district, some 200 km from here on Saturday night, another group looted Rs. 12 lakhs meant for disbursement of salary to railway staff from a train at Cooneru in Parvathipuram sub-division in Vizianagaram district.

The attack occurred when RPF personnel were travelling by the Vijayawada-Rayagada passenger.

Security tightened

Both incidents occurred in the dense forest area on the Orissa-Andhra border. After firing at the RPF personnel and killing three constables on the spot, the Maoists fled under the cover of darkness with weapons and cash looted from the RPF. The ASI, Panigrahi, died later.

A passenger was also seriously wounded when a bullet hit him. Some 16 naxalites, including a woman, reportedly took part in the operation.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Madan Mohan told The Hindu that they had tightened security after the two incidents.

Red alert

A red alert had been sounded. "We are fully geared to tackle any exigency,'' he said.

Meanwhile, information reaching here said that some 70 Maoists attacked the Sileru police station for three hours with six rocket launchers.

The police and CRPF personnel repulsed the attack. One of the Maoists was wounded, as was evinced from the bloodstains found near the police station.

Raising slogans in support of the revolutionary movement, the Maoists set off landmines and blasted the Genco's main control room and guesthouse, causing an estimated loss of Rs. 1 crore. Power generation at the hydel plant of Genco was partially hit following the incident.

Vizag Superintendent of Police V.V. Srinivasa Rao, who rushed to Sileru after the incident, said none of the policemen was injured in the attack. He said they were ready to provide medical aid if the injured naxalite surrendered at any police station in the district

In the attack on the Koyyuru-Mampa police station last month, one of the injured Maoists died later for want of medical care.

The Maoists later blamed the police for the death of their colleague. Referring to the incident, Mr. Srinivasa Rao offered to arrange treatment to any injured Maoist.