Date:01/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/01/stories/2008070159910600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

‘Greyhounds should not have used launch’

Special Correspondent

Thirty-five on board launch remain untraced, says Home Minister Jana Reddy

“We must know why they have done so (taken the launch),” says Home Minister
No news yet about Munchingput Sub-Inspector, who was on the launch

- Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

Words of comfort: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy talking to one of the Greyhound constables injured in Sunday’s CPI (Maoist) attack, at a hospital in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Home Minister K. Jana Reddy is also seen.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Home Minister K. Jana Reddy felt that the Greyhound constables and others should not have taken the launch in a dangerous area like Chitrakonda reservoir when there was a threat from CPI (Maoist) cadres.

Thirty five Greyhound constables and a civil Sub-Inspector are among those who have not been traced yet after the CPI (Maoist) attacked the launch on Sunday morning resulting in its capsize. Twenty eight others reached the shore.

“We must know why they have done so (took the launch),” Mr. Jana Reddy said at a press conference here on Monday after calling on eight Greyhound constables being treated at a corporate hospital here for the injuries they suffered in the attack.

Sophisticated weapons

Along with the 35 missing none of the arms, including those carried by the survivors, had been recovered. There were 55 Greyhound constables, including two civil Sub-Inspectors, three Home Guards, two Orissa police constables and three members of the launch crew on board when the attack occurred on Sunday morning. The boat capsized as the Greyhounds were preparing to retaliate the attack.

The Maoists fired with light machine guns and also used AK 47s and it was also suspected that a rocket launcher was used. About 50 Maoists took part in the attack, said Mr. Jana Reddy.

“Some must have died but there was no confirmation. We have to look for weapons also as the Greyhounds were carrying light machine guns, AK 47s, SLRs and Insar rifles.” There was no confirmation about the death of Munchingput Sub-Inspector Sanakra Rao who was on the launch.

Greyhounds praised

The Greyhounds were prepared to sacrifice their lives to curb extremism and though there were some losses in the past they had lost a large number of personnel in this incident, said Mr. Jana Reddy urging people to understand and appreciate the sacrifices made by the Greyhounds. He asserted that one or two incidents like this would not help CPI (Maoist).

Mr. Jana Reddy said the borders with Chhattisgarh and Orissa were being guarded and indicated that the police would hit back soon.