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Vijayawada, Nov 19 (IANS) Under pressure due to continuous operations by security forces in Chhattisgarh, Maoists were trying to take shelter in Andhra Pradesh, and after getting arms and ammunition, they planned to restart the movement from the Andhra-Odisha border area, a top police officer said on Wednesday.
Tuesday’s encounter in Alluri Sitarama Raju district near the Odisha border, in which top Maoist commander Madavi Hidma and five others were killed, another shootout in the same area on Wednesday morning in which seven Maoists were killed, and the arrest of 50 Maoist cadres in five districts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday, all point to this strategy of the banned CPI (Maoist).
Additional Director General (Intelligence) Mahesh Chandra Laddha said that they have intelligence about a large number of activities of Maoists from Chhattisgarh and Telangana and they are keeping a constant watch.
“Based on specific information, an operation was launched on November 17. On the morning of November 18, firing took place in ASR district, in which CPI (Maoist) Central Committee member Hidma and five other Maoists were killed,” he said.
Continuing this, 50 Maoists were arrested on Tuesday in NTR, Krishna, Eluru, Kakinada and Konaseema districts, the intelligence chief said.
The police presented the arrested Maoists before the media on Wednesday. All of them were residents of Chhattisgarh.
Those arrested include three special area committee members, 23 platoon members, five divisional committee members and 19 area committee members.
“For the first time in history, so many important senior level cadres have been arrested together. They were leading the Maoist movement in Chhattisgarh,” he said.
Those arrested include 27 members of the Maoist battalion led by Hidma. The second group was from South Bastar, and the third group was local cadre from Chhattisgarh.
Police seized 45 arms, 272 rounds of ammunition, 20 pellets and 280 cartridges, two magazines, four knives, 750 grams of wire, communication equipment and Maoist literature.
“As per the information we have, they were initially planning to use Andhra Pradesh as a shelter area, a safe zone, obtain arms and ammunition and start the movement from the Andhra Odisha border,” he said.
The ADG also revealed that police used drones in Tuesday’s operation to nab the Maoist. Drones were flown to find out what was inside. The services of Octopus and Greyhound personnel specializing in home interventions were utilized.
He rejected the criticism that the police were not aware of the presence of so many Maoists. He said, “We had our own intelligence. We were keeping a watch and waiting for the right opportunity to attack. We arrested them in two hours because we knew the details. We did not want to spoil everything by acting prematurely.”
The ADG said that if the police had taken action before time, many people might have been saved.
He reiterated that this was one of the largest input-based operations. It was smooth and well executed by the field officers.
He said, “We were keeping an eye on who was coming, why they were coming, where they were staying and what they were planning. We were silent and watching everything.”
ADG Laddha assured all the people of Andhra Pradesh that the state police and intelligence network are alert to protect the state in the best possible manner. He said that people need not be worried about the arrests. “Whatever we are doing is towards the goal of making Andhra Pradesh Maoist-free.”
Citing information received from Chhattisgarh and Telangana counterparts, he said that many Maoists have started contacting. This is definitely going to have a big impact and we can expect a large number of surrenders in the coming days and weeks.
He said that due to continuous pressure in Chhattisgarh, Maoists want to come forward to revive the movement. Initially, he tried to go to Telangana, but recently two key cadres surrendered in that state.
Naxalites were looking for a new hideout outside Chhattisgarh. These include Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and other neighboring states.
The ADG requested the Maoists to surrender and said that on surrender they would get money and would be given proper rehabilitation along with skill development.
“Maoist ideology is outdated. This is democracy. Let us live and let live. Please come, surrender and join the mainstream,” he said.
He said that the police will ensure that no Maoist remains in Andhra Pradesh. “I assure the public that we do not have any Maoists in Andhra Pradesh. After yesterday’s encounter, whoever is in the forests, we will try to eliminate them,” he said.
Saying that there has been no new recruitment into the Maoist movement in the last 7-8 years, he claimed that this is where Andhra Pradesh has been successful in curbing the movement.
The ADG said the old Maoists migrated to states like Telangana and Chhattisgarh, where they either surrendered or were neutralized.
He denied that CPI (Maoist) Central Committee Secretary Thippiri Tirupati alias Devuji had surrendered.
He said, “We have no information about where Devuji is now. He might be in Chhattisgarh or Telangana. He is not with us. We arrested his security team. Once we talk to him, we will know what his plan was.”
Asked about Union Home Minister Amit Shah setting a deadline of March 2026 to end Naxalism, the ADG said the state police is working towards that goal.
Andhra Pradesh Police is assisting Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Odisha and Jharkhand with whatever information they have and is working in coordination with all agencies. He said, “We are sure that after yesterday’s encounter, March 2026 is an achievable target. This is a big blow to the Maoist ideology and movement. I am sure that many people will come forward voluntarily to join the mainstream.”
The intelligence chief, while not ruling out retaliatory action by the Maoists, said that the police is taking full precautions. “We have alerted all intelligence units and advised public representatives in the agency areas to re-look at their security.”
–IANS
MS/UK