Maoists vacated AP forest last week

The Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh has come as a surprise for Andhra Pradesh, though the ambush was not completely unexpected. According to sources, over a week ago, approximately 200 Maoists had ‘migrated’ from the forests of Nallamalla and north Telangana to the Andhra-Orissa border and the Dandakaranya forest. Reports suggest over 40 senior commanders of the CPI(Maoist) were also in the group. Police officials claim most of the Maoists had been vacated from Nallamalla forests by this week.

But senior police officials here said the ‘exodus’ had nothing to do with today’s attack. “There is no link. The Naxals from here do not know much about the terrain in those areas,” said an official. The Dandakaranya forest touches Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and AP. Police presence in the area is limited due to the difficult terrain and dense forest cover, they added.

Meanwhile, the AP Police have put all police stations on the Andhra-Orissa as well as the Khammam-district and Chhattisgarh borders on high alert following the attack. Anti-Naxal forces have also stepped up combing, as they expect weapons stolen from today’s attack will be used to equip other Maoist groups.