600 action teams in place for I-day

Hyderabad, Aug 14 (UNI) About 600 action teams have been pressed into service throughout the state to thwart any attempt by Maoists or others to disrupt the peace during Independence Day tomorrow.

The alert comes in the wake of reports that Maoists would attempt to avenge the killing of Committee Secretary Madhav in an encounter in the Nallamala forests recently.

Police in the districts, who are coordinating with the action teams, have been closely monitoring the situation and keeping vigil at places where VIPs would unfurl the national flag.

Last year, suspected Maoists killed Congress MLA Narsi Reddy, his son Venkateshwar Reddy and nine others at Narayanpet in Mahabubnagar District during an Indpendence Day function prompting the government to ban the CPI (Maoist) and its affiliates.

Intensive vehicle checking is being carried out on highways and a close vigil maintained on Maoists movement and transportation of explosives.

Photos of Maoist Leader T Vasudeva Rao, who is reportedly on the prowl with three action teams to create trouble, have been distributed to alert the public.

Traffic will be regulated during parades at all the centres.

The Secunderabad Parade Grounds, venue of the Independence Day parade, is virtually under police control. Security at important locations such as the Chief Minister's residence, Secretariat, airports, railway stations, bus terminals, shopping malls and sensitive installations among others has been intensified.

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