Date:23/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/23/stories/2006102304350600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Maoists kill brother of Andhra Pradesh MLA

Correspondent

Letter states killing in protest against `fake encounters'

Two Maoists shoot dead eldest brother of MLA

Another brother manages to escape

MAHABUBNAGAR: Activists of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) shot dead C. Laxmaiah, elder brother of Congress MLA from Achampet, C. Vamsi Krishna, around 7. 20 p.m. on Saturday at Elmapally, his native village, in Amrabad mandal.

According to information reaching the district headquarters, two Maoists came to the house of C. Ramaswamy, another older brother of the MLA, who was also residing in the same village.

As they entered the house, they asked for drinking water and Ramaswamy's wife, Janardanammma, went into the kitchen.

The Maoists took Mr. Ramaswamy to the back of his house and when they were interacting with him his eldest brother Mr. Laxmaiah came to the spot. On seeing Mr. Laxmaiah, the Maoists asked Mr. Ramaswamy about his identity. When Mr. Ramaswamy replied that he was his eldest brother, the Maoists turned to Mr. Laxmiah and shot him with a tapancha, which was carried by one of the Maoists. Mr. Laxmaiah died on the spot.

Mr. Ramaswamy managed to escape. Later, the Maoists, while leaving the spot, left a letter stating that the killing was in protest against the `fake encounters' by the Y.S. Rajashekara Reddy Government and demanded the resignation of Congress leaders. The letter was signed by Nallamala area committee secretary Srisailam.

The body of Mr. Laxmaiah was shifted to the Amrabad Government hospital. Minister for Labour and Employment and district in charge, G. Vinod, and others consoled Dr.Vamsi Krishna and other family members of Mr. Laxmaiah.