A day before the commencement of Martyrs’ Week being observed by the banned CPI (Maoist), memorials were given finishing touches in a part of Visakha Agency on Monday, even as some posters and banners were put up in Chintoor and its adjoining mandals in East Godavari Agency area.
In spite of intensive combing operations by police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Visakha Agency, the Maoists erected four permanent memorials (stupams) between G.K. Veedhi and Koyyuru. The memorial near Kumkumpudi was reportedly very tall. All the four memorials were ready by Monday, apart from the final coat of paint.
With the developments in the Visakha Agency, the locals were in the grip of fear. Only a few days ago, the Maoists killed a tribal belonging to Gobarpada in Munchingput mandal after giving a thrashing to two others and destroying a few houses. Maoists resorted to this violent act accompanied by a large group of militia members and sympathisers. In June, a Maoist was killed during an exchange of fire with police. Police said that the party had brought cadres from outside the State to commit arson as it had failed in getting support from the local tribals.
Tribal people in grip of fear even as intensive combing operations by police and CRPF continues
