The CPI (Maoist) is strengthening its presence in the Andhra-Odisha Border area by sending its cadres from Chhattisgarh.
This is probably to continue its strong presence after recruitment from local Girijans has come down considerably during the last few years.
One “battalion” consisting of 500 to 600 Maoists have been reportedly positioned in Andhra and Odisha border.
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A battalion in uniformed forces’ term consists of 1200 men but for Maoists it is half the size. One “company” each is positioned in Andhra and Odisha.
This is probably to strengthen the party’s presence as the local Girijans have rose as one to oppose the bauxite mining plans of the State and Central governments in the Visakha and East Godavari Agency area , to start with at Jerrela for which a GO was issued facilitating forest clearance.
The security forces have reportedly got conformation of induction of Chhattisgarh cadre in the AOB area after the attack on a BSF party at a place under Chitrakonda police station in Odisha on the border with AP and a few other incidents in Visakha Agency. The physical structure and the “language” (Hindi, since it is not Telugu or Oriya) as described by some witnesses point out to the fact that they are from Chhattisgarh.
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The new group is not coming directly in contact with the local villagers and is moving on its own. The Maoists from Chhattisgarh are mostly from a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group and are influencing villagers from the same PVTG community in the Visakha Agency, who themselves have relocated here after being evicted from their original habitats in Odisha and other places due to projects set up there.
The situation made the security forces to intensify their combing operations even as the locals wait in apprehension on how the situation would be with anti-bauxite agitation picking up.