The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Julakanti involved in ex-naxal's killing?

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Julakanti involved in ex-naxal's killing?

By Marri Ramu

HYDERABAD, FEB. 1. Julakanti Srinivas Reddy, the alleged killer of Paritala Ravi, is also believed to be involved in the gunning down of a surrendered naxalite, K. Venkat Reddy, in the State capital.

The bullet-riddled body of Venkat Reddy was found by the police at Kothaguda village under Hayathnagar police station limits in December last.

Srinivas Reddy, who created a sensation with his candid interview to a TV channel admitting to killing Ravi, is still at large. His alleged involvement in the city murder came to light after a suspect being questioned by the Cyberabad police identified him from his photographs in newspapers. Incidentally, another body with bullet wounds, later identified as that of Sampath, was also found near Choutuppal in Nalgonda district. Despite suspicions of both the murders being linked, no evidence could be found.

Suspect's version

The Cyberabad police were told by the suspect that the person in newspaper photographs was the man who shot dead Venkat Reddy at Kachiguda. Piecing together the information given by the suspect, police believe that Srinivas Reddy may have been associated with a self-styled naxalite group, which resorted to extortions and blasting of Gandhi statues five years ago.

Sources say Venkat Reddy and Tirupati Balanna, a surrendered naxalite, stated to be involved in the killing of the IPS officer, Vyas, were called by the naxalite group leader for settling a dispute.

It is surmised that Venkat Reddy whipped out his revolver and fired at Balanna on an impulse. When Balanna ducked, the bullets hit Sampath, car driver of Balanna. "In retaliation, Srinivas Reddy whipped out his pistol and shot at Venkat Reddy, killing him on the spot," police say quoting the suspect.

Unnerved by the two killings, others immediately dumped the bodies in a car and abandoned them at Hayathnagar and Choutuppal.

Police believe the killings could be attributed to the rivalry between the two gangs -- one led by Venkat Reddy and the other by Balanna.

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