Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Senior officer to probe attack

VISAKHAPATNAM: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy said the chances of survival of 35 policemen whose launch was attacked by Maoists in the Chitrakonda reservoir in Orissa on Sunday were remote and they could have met a watery grave.

Addressing a press conference at the Seven Hills Hospital here on Monday after calling on eight wounded constables undergoing treatment, Dr. Reddy said “the 35 men in the cabin of the launch have not been traced yet. They might have been trapped. Even the boat has not been traced, though the water is clear,” he said.

Asked whether there was a failure on the part of police intelligence and the reasons for so many Greyhounds personnel boarding a vessel together, the Chief Minister said a senior officer would be deputed to inquire into the attack and to look into all aspects.

He would also be asked to recommend steps to be taken to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future. “We can’t come to quick conclusions,” he said.

Dr. Reddy praised the Greyhounds men for their gallant effort in trying to retaliate in spite of being in a disadvantageous position. Some of them reached the shore after swimming for a few hours with injuries on their bodies. The Government would provide all help to the families of the victims, he assured.

Dr. Reddy described the incident as most unfortunate and said the naxalites must understand that democracy triumphed everywhere in the world and power could not be gained through the barrel of a gun.

“They might feel on top of the world or have won the battle but it is only temporary.”

The CPI (Maoist) could not recruit even a single person during the last four years, which indicated that extremism was coming to an end in the State. Home Minister K. Jana Reddy was present.

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