The police in Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have been on high alert for the last few days with the Maoists observing Martyr’s Week from July 28.
The two districts are considered “highly sensitive” as they share the border for almost 300 km with Odisha where the Maoists have a significant presence.
According to sources, the Maoists have constituted the Odisha-Srikakulam committee to intensify their activities.
Additional forces
This has prompted the Srikakulam police to deploy additional APSP and CRPF forces in places such as Dhonubhai, Kotturu, Battili, Meliyaputti, Mandasa, Kasibugga, and Vajrapukotturu that are close to the Odisha forest area.
Similarly, additional forces have been deployed in places such as Jiyyammavalasa, Neelakanthapuram, Chintapalli, and Komarada in Vizianagaram district.
To check possible intrusion of naxalites into Andhra Pradesh, the police, with the support of CRPF and other special wings, have intensified combing in the areas such as Komarada, Gumma Lakshmipuram, Meliyaputti, and Battili.
Vizianagaram SP L.K.V. Ranga Rao and Srikakulam SP J. Brahma Reddy are reportedly reviewing the situation on a daily basis and touring the sensitive areas along the border.
Though there is no significant Maoist activity, the police do not want to take any chances, particularly in view of the Maoist dumps unearthed in the recent past.
A dump was unearthed at Bharanikota of Meliyaputti mandal a couple of years ago. A woman Maoist, Pawala Lakshmi, of Vizianagaram district surrendered before the Odisha police in May 2016. The police also suspect that the Maoists are trying to recruit tribal people.
The police have identified the Tuvva hill range as most vulnerable on the A.P.-Odisha border.
