Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120250210100.htm

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Maoists kill two, conduct famine raids

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: A group of 15 members of the CPI (Maoist) hacked to death two villagers of Ramaraopalem under Lothugedda panchayat in Chintapalli mandal around midnight on Sunday.

Earlier, they conducted famine raids at the nearby Meduru village and destroyed a motorcycle, television set and household belongings of Lothugedda Sarpanch Marri Babu Rao and looted a provision shop owned by Atmakuru Govindu.

Take away cash, gold

They took away Rs. 25,000 in cash and gold ornaments weighing six tolas.

The total property destroyed or damaged was estimated at Rs. 8 lakh, it was learnt.

Superintendent of Police Akun Sabharwal said that after destroying the property at Meduru, the Maoist cadres went to Ramaraopalem, one kilometre away, and called out Vantala Rama Rao (50) and Killo Sona (38) from their houses.

Some household articles and vehicles belonging to the two were torched.

The Maoists tied the hands of the victims and said they were taking them to a meeting. But after a short distance from their homes, the two Girijans were hacked to death.

The Maoists alleged that the two were landlords, oppressing the poor and acting as police informers.

The Maoists also tried to damage the control panel of Essar company but as they could not succeed, they took away the solar panels and some sets of batteries.

It was suspected that one Sridhar led the Maoists in the attack but the complete details are not yet available.