2 Maoists gunned down in encounter with police in Andhra

Visakhapatnam, Feb 22: Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with police in an agency area of the district, police said on Monday, Feb 22.

The gun battle took place for about 15 minutes between Valakapudi and Devulapadu areas under Koyyuru police station limits of the district yesterday when a team of police personnel and the rebels came face-to-face, Superintendent of Police (Visakha Rural) Dr Koya Praveen said.

A group of Maoists entered the area and were on a mission to appeal local youth to join their outfit to fight against the proposed bauxite mining in Vizag agency, police said.

The security forces, who were tipped-off about the Maoists' presence in the areas, began massive combing of the forest when the exchange of fire took place in which two Maoists were killed, the SP said.

Two 12 bore single-barrel guns, some cartridges and two kit bags containing two mobile phones, Maoists' uniforms and their literature were also recovered from the spot. The deceased Ultras, yet to be identified, belonged to the Galikonda Area Committee of the banned CPI (Maoists).

The Maoists have been trying to regain their lost ground in Vizag agency, East Godavari region and Andhra-Odisha border areas, and appealing youths to fight against the security forces and the government over bauxite mining and some other issues, police said.

Meanwhile, security has been intensified at some places in the Vizag agency area for which additional security forces are likely to be deployed, police added.

PTI