Maoists still have presence in Agency: SP

The Maoist influence in the Agency areas of Visakhapatnam is not as weak as it is thought to be. Things are not that rosy and they have considerable presence in the two areas of Galikonda and Korukonda, according to Superintendent of Police Koya Praveen.

Under the Maoist East Visakha Joint Division that controls the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB), Galikonda and Korukonda area committees are the most active committees and they have a brief upper hand, especially during the monsoon period. “But despite that, our forces have done a good job and saw that the Maoist Martyr Week (July 28 to August 2), fail in all respects,” says Mr. Praveen.

Coming to the head count, the SP has said that it is not possible to give the exact number, but it is estimated that the East Visakha Joint Division chief Chalapathi and his deputy Bakuri Venkata Ramana alias Ganesh move around with about 40 to 50 hardcore cadres, each. Similarly, Galikonda area committee heads Ravi and Sharat and Korukonda area committee leaders Naveen and Kiran go around with at least 30 Maoist cadres. “The figures are excluding the local militia members and sympathisers.”

Talking of fire power of the Maoists, he has said, “The weaponry depends on the rank. It is reported that leaders such as Ravi and Naveen, have at least five to six AK 47 assault rifles in their group and supported by a good number of 303 Lee Enfield rifles. They also carry landmines and claymore mines.”

Monsoon advantage

According to the SP, the Maoists do have an advantage during monsoon. “Owing to the hilly terrain, the Agency area is prone to flash floods, which is a huge disadvantage for our forces. Moreover, the foliage is thick and green and it makes us sitting ducks, as the ultras are generally perched at a higher location. Incidents of ambush are also high during this period,” the SP says.

“The welfare measures by the police have yielded good results, and the Maoist ideology no longer influences the tribal people. The tribal people are innocent folks, and they tend to fall in the Maoist net, since the government schemes do not reach them due to the unapproachable terrain,” says Mr. Praveen.