The peace on Telangana - Chattisgarh border was shattered after a heavy exchange of fire between the police and the Maoists in the region on Tuesday. The encounter took place after the police launched a massive combing operation following a Maoist attack on a road-building site. There were reports of death of at least two Maoists.
Police said around 40 armed Maoists attacked and burnt six vehicles at Tekkulagudem under Vajedu Mandal in Khammam district when 40 armed Maoists attacked the parked vehicles near Chattisgarh border. Three tippers, JCB, Roller and trollies were burnt in the incident. later, the anti-Maoist Greyhound forces launched a combing operation in the area to nab the assailants leading to heavy exchange of fire between Annaram village of Khammam district and Marimalla village of Chattisgarh. Further details of the incident were awaited.
The attack near Chattisgarh border took place soon after the police forces of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha launched a joint operation in Malkangiri district along Visakhapatanam border foiling a plenary session of outlawed CPI Maoists. Greyhound force of Andhra Pradesh along with the special forces of Odisha police launched the joint operation near Chitrakonda reservoir on the receipt of intelligence input that top leaders of CPI Maoists were also attending the session.
The intelligence said that Muppala lakshman Rao alias Ganapathy, the general secretary of CPI Maoists and his number Ramakrishna alias RK were among those present there. The police said that the raid triggered a fierce encounter and heavy exchange of fire. There were conflicting reports of death of five Maoists. But the top leaders managed to escape. Combing operation are still on in the area.
Meanwhile, Visakhapatanam superintendent of police K Praveen said that an alert had been sounded in the tribal or agency areas of the district as Maoists sympathisers from Andhra Pradesh also attended the Odisha meeting. All entry points were sealed and vehicles were being searched. The police also took some tribal youth into the custody for questioning. But it created tension in the region. Those detained were released after the protests by the local people.