VIPs on Naxal hit list, Andhra Police sound alert

“There is heightened activity on the AOB (Andhra-Orissa Border). We are looking at Visakhapatanam Rural, Vizianagaram, East Godavari and Srikakulam where secret meetings are being held to regroup and inspire cadre to launch strikes again. Our target area is right now Visakhapatanam Rural and East Godavari,” an officer with the Special Intelligence Branch dealing with Maoists said. The Maoists are also preparing to put up a strong fight in the Visakhapatanam area as they oppose the setting up of refineries in the district as well as in the neighbouring district of Vizianagaram.

In the latest edition of its mouthpiece People’s March, the CPI (Maoist) warned that it could still deliver an effective blow on the ruling class by adopting guerrilla methods of warfare.

“The problem area also appears to be Khammam district which has a vast border with Chhattisgarh and which is very vulnerable under the given circumstances,” another officer said.

With depleted cadre, the party is making desperate attempts to strengthen itself. Recently it brought in two platoons from neighbouring Chhattisgarh to strengthen their presence and revive its operations. Cadres were also brought in from the Nallamalai region to boost their presence in Visakhapatanam and Vizianagaram areas.

According to DIG Vizag Range Jitendra, the move seems to have boomeranged on the Naxalites as presence of outsiders did not go down well with native tribals and they stopped cooperating with the Naxalites. “The tribals may not be cooperating with the police but now they have also stopped cooperating with the Naxalites as they feel the outsiders will only increase if they receive support and that could become a problem for the tribals,” Jitendra says.

Special Intelligence Branch DIG D Tirumala Rao says police is well aware of the party’s efforts to recruit and regroup. “While we continue with our present strategy due to which many top leaders have surrendered we are devising new ways to check their fresh efforts,” Rao says.

During combing operations, Andhra Police have recovered large number of landmines, including some which weigh over 50 kg each. As in the past, targeting police personnel including senior officers is again top priority besides politicians.

Over the last one year, the Andhra Police have managed to break the back of CPI (Maoist) party in these regions. At least eight middle-level leaders, including some Area Committee members and District Committee members, died during exchange of fire with police while 20 people belonging to various ranks surrendered. The surrender of members like Bhupathi of Vizianagaram, Srikanth and Kavita of Srikakulam area was a big blow to the Maoists. “The surrender policy is very transparent and the Government fulfils the promises made to them. Except for top leadership like Sudhakar, many middle-level leaders have surrendered because of this policy.”