Security up in naxal areas after killing of sarpanch

Visakhapatnam, Apr 12 (UNI) Security has been tightened in all the naxal-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh following the killing of a Sarpanch at Balapam village in Chintapalli mandal in Visakhapatnam district on Tuesday.

According to police here today, ten armed Maoists went to sarpanch Rama Rao's (30) house and tried to take him out reportedly ''to discuss some issues.'' They fired two rounds in the air when villagers objected to them. Later, they shot him dead.

Earlier, the Maoists had warned Rao and released a note to the media asking him to refrain from acting as an informer.

Meanwhile, special police teams were deployed in all the 11 agency mandals where combing operations were underway.

A high alert had been sounded in the north coastal districts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam, while night patrolling and vehicle checks were being carried out in the agency areas, police added.

UNI