Paderu: The Maoist party in Alluri Sitaramaraju district on the Andhra-Odisha border has suffered another severe setback. A key leader of that party was arrested by the police. Moreover 60 members and sympathizers working in that party met Visakhapatnam Range DIG Mr.S. Harikrishna IPS. in Paderu on Tuesday and Voluntarily surrendered in his presence. Surrender of such a large number of Maoist party members and sympathizers in one day is an irreparable blow to that party.
DIG Mr. Harikrishna revealed to the media that Pedabayalu police arrested Vantala Ramakrishna alias Prabhakar alias Ashok alias Godali Rayudu, a key member of the Maoist party, Pedabayalu-Korukonda Area Committee while coming from Kondrum to Injari village. Vanthala Ramakrishna, who belongs to the tribal PTG Kondu caste, belongs to Kondrum village of Injari panchayat of Pedabayalu mandal.
He joined the Maoist militia in 2003 at the instigation of Maoist party leader Bhupathi. Since then, he has grown step by step as a member of the force, party member and secretary of the area committee. The arrested Ramakrishna used to carry out Maoist activities in Malkangiri, Koraputtu and Alluri Seetharamaraju districts under AOB Special Zonal Committee. The DIG said that he used to kill innocent tribals by setting up public courts and also destroyed government properties.
There are about 124 cases against him across AOB. He said there were 14 murders, 13 incidents of exchange of fire, four incidents of detonation of landmines, and six more cases against him for destroying government property. Late Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao, former MLA Siveri Soma along with Vanthala Ramakrishna is accused in the murder cases of many tribals. Also, the DIG said that Ramakrishna played a leading role in several incidents of counter-fire, blasting of landmines, incidents of burning poklains and many kidnapping cases.
He added that the government has also announced a reward of Rs.5, 00,000/- in the name of the arrested Ramakrishna. They said that Rs.39 lakh cash, five kg mines, five detonators, 90 meters long current wire, six batteries, 9mm pistol, eight 9mm rounds and revolutionary literature were seized from Ramakrishna.
On the other hand, 33 Maoists and 27 militia members of the Pedabayalu-Korukonda area committee of the Maoist party surrendered voluntarily. There is a reward of Rs.1 lakh on 33 of those who surrendered. Among them, Korra Chinnayya alias Srikanth of Injari Panchayat Kondrum village is accused in 95 crimes said the DIG.
DIG Mr. Harikrishna said that the support of the Maoist party has completely decreased throughout AOB, last year 135 Maoists and sympathizers surrendered. There are many cases against all of them. Members who have a reward of Rs.1 lakh will be given that cash to themselves and all those who have surrendered will be rehabilitated.
For alternative livelihood of tribals Mr. Harikrishna explained that police activities will be carried out continuously throughout the district with the aim of preventing the activities of Maoists. He said that they are implementing programs for the livelihood of the tribals by cultivating alternative crops while carrying out eradication programs.
The DIG said that we are giving high priority to roads and other development programs in remote villages. We are implementing motivational programs for unemployed youth. SP Mr. Satish Kumar, ASP Admin Mr. Tusin Sinha, CRPF 284 Battalion Commandant Mr. Ashish Vishwakarma, Assistant Commandant Mr. Arun Kumar, DSP Mr. Venkatarao, Paderu CI Mr. Sudhakar participated in the program.
Our Citizen Reporter,
Venkata T Reddy