The Hindu : Three cops killed in landmine blast

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jun 17, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh

Three cops killed in landmine blast

By Our Staff Reporter

HUZURNAGAR (NALGONDA DT.) JUNE 16. In the first-ever landmine blast triggered by the outlawed PW in the district, three policemen, including an RSI, were killed and an Armed Reserve constable was seriously injured at Nemalipuri village in Mellacheruvu mandal on Monday.

The victims were identified as Gorla Gangaram (32), the RSI of Rudrur in Varni mandal in Nizamabad district, Vunnam Chennakeshavulu (29) of Nidamanoor village and Gugulothu Shankar (24) of Geeshyatanda in Chivvemula mandal of Nalgonda district.

According to the villagers, the trio were caught in the trap laid by the naxals on the Kodad-Nemalipuri road near a cement factory. The police party was engaged in the combing operation to nab the naxalites who terrorised the Nemalipuri villagers for nearly three hours on Sunday.

Following reports that a 20-member naxal gang thrashed three villagers branding them as police informers, the combing party was questioning the suspected youths. The trio reportedly detained some local youths for interrogation. The naxalites, who were reportedly hid behind a hillock, waited till the youths crossed over the mine and blasted it when the three policemen stepped on it. An Armed Reserve Police constable, Madan Mohan, who was walking behind the three policemen sustained injuries.

The rest of the police party reportedly opened fire, but the naxals took to heels without any retaliation. This is said to be the handiwork of the notorious Krishnapatti dalam.

However, according to other reports, the police party was clearing the road for a visit of the SP, V.C.Sajjanar, and the OSD, P.Viswa Prasad, to Nemalipuri.

After thrashing three villagers, the naxal gang went towards the Krishna river prompting the police to launch the combing from the other side of Nemalipuri. But, the naxals meticulously planted the landmine resulting in the tragedy.

The SP and the OSD rushed to the spot. The bodies were brought to Nalgonda after post-mortem.

IG (Operations), Anurag Sharma, and the DIGs -- C.R.Naidu and Goutam Sawang - rushed to the spot and made enquiries about the blast.

A heinous act: CM

Our Hyderabad Staff Reporter writes:

The Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, desrcribed the landmine blast as a most heinous and inhuman act.

The DGP, P. Ramulu, said the landmine blast should be condemned by every citizen.

In a press release, Mr. Ramulu said People's War naxals were resorting to cowardly acts to cover up their continuous reversals. "Such mindless violence prove how PW naxals are resorting to terrorist tactics,'' he observed

The DGP expressed his condolences to the bereaved family members of the three cops who were killed in the blast.

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