To tackle the Maoist problem in the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) area in Visakhapatnam agency, the Andhra Pradesh police is planning to set up at least five more armed police outposts in the region.
This was revealed by DGP N. Sambasiva Rao to The Hindu , here on Friday.
As of now, there are two armed outposts at Rallagedda in Chintapalle mandal and at Rudakota in Pedabayalu mandal. “We need at least five more in that region to check the Maoist influence,” he said.
Armed outposts are fortified outposts containing about 100 to 120 armed personnel from various security agencies such as the Andhra Pradesh armed police, special parties and CRPF. They are strategically positioned to dominate the area and serve as logistical points for operational forces.
According to top police sources, the need for armed outposts had arisen after the presence of Maoists, especially top leaders such as Nambala Kesava Rao alias Basavaraj, leader of the Central Military Commission, the main fighting unit of the CPI (Maoist); and Gajarla Ravi or Uday, who is currently in-charge of the Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), were reportedly spotted in the AOB region.
As per the documents recovered by the security forces from the exchange of fire (EOF) site between the Greyhounds and Maoists, near Kistavaram under Annavaram Police Station limits, the Maoists are planning something big in the AOB area.
To thwart such misadventure and keep them (Maoists) under check, the establishing of armed outposts is the need of the hour and a strategic move, the DGP said.
It may be recalled that the DGP had toured the agency areas a couple of times in the recent past and also conducted an aerial survey with security experts from Israel.
The signs give a clear indication that the police are focussing on dominating the area so that roads and other government schemes reach the Adivasis in the remote tribal areas, said an officer engaged in anti-Maoist operation in the AOB.
Greyhounds training centre
Mr. Sambasiva Rao confirmed that full-fledged Greyhounds training centre will be set up in Visakhapatnam district, with an assistance of ₹ 400 crore from the Union government.
“We will start the work as soon as the funds are released. It will be on a par with the one at Premavathipet in Hyderabad, but it will take some time to reach that level, as we are just beginning it. The Hyderabad centre was developed over a period of time. But the Vizag centre will be good enough for the time being,” he said.
