Date:17/02/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/02/17/stories/2006021710540500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Maoists abduct two revenue employees

Staff Reporter

They have reportedly warned the RI to mend his ways

ANANTAPUR: Members of Penukonda dalam of CPI (Maoist) allegedly abducted two revenue employees from Munimadugu village in Penukonda mandal on Wednesday night. Revenue Inspector of Penukonda mandal Jamsheer Ahmed and Village Secretary of Venkatareddypalli Narasimhulu had gone to Munimadugu on Wednesday to verify applications received for housing in the Indiramma gram sabha.

They left for Penukonda on a two-wheeler in the night, when the Maoists waylaid and abducted them.

However, neither the revenue officials at Penukonda nor the people of Munimadugu knew about the abduction till Thursday morning, when a courier informed the villagers about the incident. The Maoists were learnt to have warned the RI several times in the past to mend his corrupt ways of functioning, but in vain.

Plea to naxals

Meanwhile, district president of the AP Revenue Services Association Jayarami Reddy urged the Maoists to release the RI and village secretary. District Collector Y.V. Anuradha also urged the Maoists to free the two revenue employees unharmed.

The Maoists had not put forward their demands till Thursday.