A top leader of the banned CPI (Maoist) Kudumula Venkata Ramana, alias Ravi, died of jaundice at a city hospital on Saturday.
Ravi was member of the Andhra-Odisha border special zonal committee (AOBSZC) and commander of first company of party’s central regional committee (CRC) that was responsible for many operations in the area. He had reportedly planned many attacks on the police and destruction of property. Ravi carried a reward of Rs. 20 lakh on his head.
Ravi was reportedly brought to the city from a place beyond Sapparla in Chintapalli mandal in the morning but was already dead, according to information available with the police, Superintendent of Police Koya Praveen said. Ravi, a native of Kommangi village in Chintapalli mandal joined the Maoist party in 1998 soon after completing high school. He rose in the party ranks to become one of its top leaders and military strategist. He married Kumari, a party member.
Ravi’s body reached his native village of Kommangi in Chintapalli mandal on Saturday evening. The last rites will be performed on Sunday.
A large number of Girijans reached Kommangi as the news of Ravi’s body being brought there from Visakhapatnam spread. BJP leader Lokula Gandhi, wife of former Minister P. Balaraju have also paid respects to Ravi.
