An eerie calm is prevailing in the remote tribal pockets of Bhadrachalam division spread across the long inter-State border with both Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh with the Maoists making renewed attempts to spread their activities and the police stepping up anti-Maoist operations in border areas.
An undercurrent of tension continues to persist in the forest fringe villages along the inter-State border with the spurt in Maoist activity in Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh coinciding with the Maoists’ ongoing Martyrs Week.
After suffering a setback with the surrender of two district level senior Maoist cadres including Sukhdev, the district special guerrilla squad in-charge, a few months ago, the rebels have focused their attention on reviving their foothold and expanding their base in Bhadrachalam Agency.
ADVERTISEMENT
The rebels have reportedly put up posters in the forest fringe areas including Arlagudem and Paidigudem villages in Dummugudem mandal bordering the Maoist dominated areas in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh a couple of days ago.
The rebels also intensified poster campaign against the TRS government accusing it of modernising police forces to curb people’s movements and acting contrary to its reported pre-poll assertion that it would implement Maoist agenda if voted to power.
The Bhadrachalam sub-division police have stepped up vigil at the santhas (weekly markets) at Nalabelli and Paidigudem in Dummugudem mandal frequented by Adivasis from the remote tribal pockets situated on either side of the inter-State borders.
ADVERTISEMENT
The volatile conditions prevailing in the strife torn areas in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh and enhanced surveillance by the security forces has curtailed the movement of Adivasis to the santhas situated in the areas close to the inter-State borders, sources said.
Security has been beefed up by deploying adequate police and other para-military forces at vantage positions in the areas situated close to the periphery of the inter-State borders as a safety precaution, said R Bhaskaran, ASP, Bhadrachalam.
The police forces are fully geared up to face any eventuality and prevent untoward incidents.
Quote
Security has been beefed up by deploying adequate police and other para-military forces at vantage positions in the areas situated close to the periphery of the inter-State borders as a safety precaution: R Bhaskaran, ASP, Bhadrachalam.