NALGONDA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy has dubbed the Maoist attack on Atmakur (M) police station and the killing of three policemen on duty on Friday night an "act of cowardice."

Speaking to reporters after calling on family members of Sub-Inspector Chand Pasha, Assistant Sub-Inspector Moinuddin and the home guard Lingaiah at the District Headquarters hospital on Saturday, Dr. Reddy said: "I would like to ask the Maoists if this act of cowardice is going to help them in any way. In fact they have earned more contempt from people."

The police top brass earlier briefed him as to how a 15-member armed Maoist team made a sudden attack on the unarmed police station resulting in the gruesome killing of the three policemen. Another injured constable Karim has been struggling for his life with three bullet injuries at a hospital in Hyderabad.

At least two constables residing in the nearby quarters ran out of their houses for safety by leaving their families soon after sensing trouble in the thana. Explosive material stuffed in a steal container was recovered in the police station, which was partially damaged due to the impact of the explosion. A visibly upset Chief Minister maintained stoic silence from the moment he landed in the helipad at the parade grounds at the district police headquarters.

Ex gratia announced

Home Minister K. Jana Reddy and Director-General of Police Swaranjit Sen visited the police station. Angry daughters of the SI complained to the Home Minister that the Superintendent of Police had refused to grant their father sick leave.

Many tablets and syrup bottles were strewn all over the SI's room at Atmakur.

Mr. Reddy announced an ex gratia of Rs.9 lakhs each for the families of the SI and the ASI and Rs.5 lakhs for the home guard's mother. He also said that employment and housing facilities would be arranged for the bereaved families.

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