Three policemen killed in by Maoists in AP

Andhra Pradesh, Aug 19: CPI (Maoist) naxals killed three policemen in Atmakur (M) police station in Nalgonda distriict in a late night operation.

According to police, about 10 Maoists attacked the police station, which had no weapons, and shot dead SI Chanda Pasha, assistant SI Moimuddin and home guard Lingayya.

Police said the three were tied to trees and shot in cold-blood.

Police, who had been fearing a retaliatory attack for the recent encounter in which Maoist state secretary Madhav and seven others were killed, could not provide weapons to this station as men and weapons were moved to the capital in view of the ongoing Assembly session and reports that Maoist teams were in the city, sources said.

Home Minister K Jana Reddy severely condemned the attack and said Maoists would achieve nothing by killing unarmed persons. Mr Reddy and DGP Swaranjit Sen will go to the spot.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the slain policemen have been shifted here today for police personnel to pay their respects.

Nalgonda District Police Officers Association has demanded the arrest of VIRASAM (Revolutionary Writers Association) leaders.

UNI