‘Maoist offences under control currently in A.P.’

Four companies of Central paramilitary forces are being used to contain Maoists in Andhra Pradesh along the borders of Chhattisgarh and Orissa States, said AP Deputy Chief Minister Chinarajappa on Saturday.

Interacting with media persons at AP Secretariat here, the Deputy Chief Minister holding the portfolio of Home said the State relied on Central assistance to thwart insurgence of Maoists from Chhattisgarh and Orissa into AP following bifurcation of the latter.

The strength of the AP police dwindled after carving out of Telangana State and withdrawal of policemen from some areas by the Telangana government.

“These areas being close to Chhattisgarh and Orissa where Maoists are active, possibility of they attempting to regroup naturally increased,” said a police officer from A.P. seeking anonymity.

Members of the paramilitary forces were deployed at strategic locations.

They were being moved in the districts of East Godavari, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam to check movement of Maoists. Stating that offences dipped in A.P. during the regime of the present government, Mr. Chinarajappa said there was shortage of 14,000 policemen in the lower rung in the State.

“We are planning to recruit at least 50 per cent of the required strength at the earliest though the budgetary constraints are there,” he said.

Four companies of paramilitary forces used in Maoist affected areas along Chhattisgarh, Orissa: Chinarajappa