The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Naxal menace: police on alert in East Godavari

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Sunday, Dec 09, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Naxal menace: police on alert in East Godavari

Staff Reporter

Ongoing battle in Vizag district causing concern

East Godavari district continues to be a `safe zone’ for members of the outfit
SP says the situation is under control

Kakinada: The ongoing battle between the police and Maoists along the Andhra-Orissa border, mainly in Agency areas of Visakhapatnam district, is causing jitters among the police of East Godavari district. Though there were no major incidents involving the Maoists in recent past, the district police are taking no chances as the low-intensity conflict might spread to vulnerable areas of Rampachodavaram, Donkarai, Maredumilli and Y.Ramavaram in this district.

The police and Maoists have exchanged fire six times so far this year, resulting in the death of three Maoists and 15 dumps were seized by the police. The situation has since then been by and large peaceful due to the perceptible shift of the Maoist activities to their strongholds in Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts. The East Godavari district continues to be a `safe zone’ for members of the proscribed outfit and small training camps are frequently organised. Therefore, the police cannot afford to relax as it could be a lull before the storm.

Massive combing

Information that the Maoists are active in the forests of Rampachodavaram is a cause of concern. Due to this fear the police have conducted massive combing in that area a few days ago to flush out extremists. A red alert had been sounded due to the People’s Guerrilla Army week being observed from December 2 when the PGA was formed.

``The situation is under control. We have counter action teams and anti-Naxalite squads keeping a watch on the forests where the Maoists might attack the police or resort to other destructive activities,” said Superintendent of Police B Sreenivasulu. He said the Maoists were active in the above areas and the police were prepared to meet any contingency. He said the district remains a safe zone and that it is easy for the Maoists to operate in Visakhapatnam district where the extent of forests is larger compared to that of East Godavari. Moreover, the hilly terrain in Visakhapatnam district suits the Maoists more than the police. ``The Maoists are nowadays waging a `mobile war’: changing their hideouts once every two or three days keeping the police guessing on their whereabouts and striking them at an opportune time.

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