The two-day bandh call given by Maoists in the Visakha Agency area and the Andhra-Orissa border of Andhra Pradesh was peaceful so far, even as combing and frisking operation continued, police said on Tuesday.
“The bandh was peaceful so far and no incidents were reported in Visakhapatnam district. However, combing and frisking operations shall continue in the bordering areas,” Visakhapatnam (Rural) district Superintendent of Police Vineet Brij Lal told PTI over phone.
The 48-hour bandh was called by the CPI (Maoist) starting Monday in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and three districts of Maharashtra to protest against the ‘Operation Green Hunt’ launched against them and the recent encounters in Andhra in which top Maoists Shakamuri Apparao and Kondal Reddy were shot dead.
Compared to Monday, shops, business establishments remained open at various towns and villages, and RTC buses plied normally, though at some areas of the district the bus services were stopped, the police officer said.
Elaborate security arrangements are in place to thwart any attempts by Maoists to carry out violent acts, the SP said, adding they were also in regular coordination with the Orissa police.
Apart from Visakhapatnam, police forces in large contingents were also deployed in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram to carry out special operations in the bordering regions, police sources said.