Date:19/08/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/19/stories/2007081953280400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Most wanted’ criminal killed in encounter

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: A notorious criminal and pseudo-naxalite, Kamma Gopal alias Ranga Reddy alias Ajay (36), who was eluding the police for the last 14 years, was killed in an encounter with the police between Konapuram and Sahikshanipalli villages near Uravakonda in the district in the wee hours of Saturday. Two special party constables also sustained minor injuries in the incident.

According to the police, a special party was conducting combing operations for the accused in the gang rape of a woman in PC Pyapili village recently and the Kamma Gopal gang, which was allegedly indulging in large scale extortion from the contractor of Handri-Neeva canal works.

There was exchange of fire when the police intercepted two persons. They found a person dead during a search of the area and he was identified as Kamma Gopal.