Combing intensified for Maoist top guns
Visakhapatnam:
have launched massive
targeting
. Following the encounter, a large number of security forces were deployed to eliminate the CPI Maoists on the run in the Andhra-Odisha (AOB) border areas.
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Sources indicated that top Maoist leaders, including AOB special zonal committee secretary Gajarla Ravi, alias Uday, and SZC member Ravi Venkata Chaitanya, alias Aruna, along with another 12 Maoists, are now fleeing for their lives as police parties have allegedly surrounded the AOB areas.At least 15 security squads of Greyhounds and Armed Reserve officers are continuously combing the areas to capture the Naxals on the run.
The security forces of Andhra Pradesh have been waiting for the opportunity to target the top leaders for the past one-and-a-half years, and now they have tightened the noose.It is recalled that two Naxals, including AOB special zonal committee member Kakuri Pandanna, alias Jagan, and DCM cadre Wage Podiami, alias Ramesh, were killed in the fire exchange at Dummukonda forest area, close to the Odisha borders. Alluri district police sources reported that five Maoists were spotted, and fired at, by the Greyhounds Jawans. At that time, another 13 Maoists, including Ravi alias Uday and Aruna, were around 100 metre away from the spot and escaped from the area. After learning this, a large number of security forces were deployed for the combing operations.One of the senior officers mentioned that three women cadres, most probably from Chhattisgarh, were also in the 13-member squad. They might have fled to the Puttakota area via Pedalanka Kotturu. "The area is densely forested, and they may sneak into Mandapalli to the Odisha part via Jerrela forests," he said.AOB SZ secretary Gajarla Ravi is a chronic diabetic patient and is surviving on insulin injections, while Aruna's health condition is reportedly not good now, sources said. Alluri district SP, Amit Bardar, stated that the Maoists may join mainstream life if they come overground by leaving their weapons. "We will not harm them if they offer to surrender to lead a peaceful life," he said.
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The Print
an hour ago
- The Print
On eve of Nilambur bypoll, ruling CPI(M) and Congress-led UDF lock horns over past ties with RSS
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2 hours ago
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The Hindu
2 hours ago
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CPI(M) on the back foot as its 1977 alliance with Jan Sangh resurfaces
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