Red alert sounded in Karnataka villages bordering AP

Gulbarga, Mar 4 (UNI) A red alert has been sounded in villages bordering Andhra Pradesh in Gulbarga, Bidar and Raichur districts of Karnataka with the borders virtually sealed following a daring attempt on the life of Tandur municipal council Chairman Lakshma Reddy in the neighbouring State.

According to reports received here, around five assailants shot at Mr Reddy from behind when he was strolling near the Chincholi bus stand in Tandur. Before fleeing, the attackers also flung a grenade, which, fortunately, did not go off. Mr Reddy, who was hit by bullets, was rushed to the Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad (NIMS). His condition was reported to be serious.

According to information received by the state police, CPI (Maoist) activists conducted meetings in Krishna village bordering Raichur District and Kodangal village bordering Gulbarga district a few days ago.

North-East Karanataka Inspector-General of Police Ramakrishna who chaired a meeting of the heads of police of these districts here last evening, said additional forces had been deployed at checkposts and all vehicles coming into the state from Andhra Pradesh were being checked.

Gulbarga Superintendent of Police Dr K Ramachandra Rao today said elite police teams numbering more than 300 conducted intensive combing operations in the jungles of Konchavaram here late last night.

Mr Rao said security at check-posts at Konchavaram, Miriyan, Saidapur, Yanagundi, Gurmitkal and few villages has been strengthened. A Karnataka state reserve police platoon each has been rushed to these check-posts with sophisticated weapons and bullet- proof jackets, he added.

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