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Journalism of Courage
Naxal violence dominated the day in Andhra Pradesh ahead of a crucial bandh called by the CPI (Maoists) protesting against the killing of its activists in police encounters.
In Warangal, two CPI (Maoist) members were killed when police opened fire at them in Edullapalli in Kothaguda Mandal. According to sources, the police who were on combing duty opened fire after the Maoists started shooting at them. In Kurnool, Naxalites set fire to an APSRTC bus at Byrutla village which was heading to Rajahmundry.
The surge in attacks signal what could be a no-holds-barred war between the Andhra government and the extremists, ending the eight-month-old peace in the state.
The Naxalites called for a bandh in Medak, Warangal, Telangana, Kurnool and Prakasam districts in the Rayalaseema regions.
On Saturday, six Naxalites including two women were killed in exchange of fire with police in Mahaboobnagar and Prakasam districts while a ruling Congress sarpanch and a civilian were gunned down by the ultras in Karimnagar district.
