‘AP police to thwart Maoists’ attempts to cross into state’

Maoist related incidents reported during 2009 were lowest in the last one decade in Andhra Pradesh and the state police is capable of thwarting any attempt by Naxalites to cross into the state border,Director General of Police (DGP) R R Girish Kumar today said.

Giving details of Maoist related incidents,Kumar told reporters there were only 13 incidents of exchanges of fire with police this year compared with 28 incidents in 2008.

Fifteen police personnel were killed while fighting Maoists this year as against 34 last year,the DGP said adding 15 civilians lost their lives compared with 45 the previous year.

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While 326 extremists were arrested in the state,91 ultras surrendered to police this year,Kumar said.

The state police including the elite Grey-Hounds has received laurels for anti-Naxalite operations,the top officer said.