Two Maoists killed in Vizianagaram

VIZIANAGARAM: In renewed bloodletting, two Maoists, including a member of the Andhra-Orissa Border (AOB) Special Zone Committee, were killed in an exchange of fire with police in Vizianagaram district late on Tuesday night.

The encounter took place between Kedaripuram and Elvispeta under Elvispeta police station limits. Maoist leader Chokkari Gangaram alias Jagabandhu alias Kommu (44) and another Naxalite, whose identity is yet to be established, were shot dead.

Speaking to reporters, Superintendent of Police Vikram Singh Mann said while checking vehicles between Kedaripuram and Elvispeta, the police came across two persons on a motorcycle.

When they were asked to stop, the duo took a U-turn and opened fire after speeding away to some distance. The police retaliated and fired 12 rounds at them. Both of them were later found dead.

The police seized one country-made tapancha, a revolver and the motorcycle from the spot. Gangaram, a native of Palasapuram in Sompeta mandal, Srikakulam district, joined the Naxal movement in 1990 as a dalam member in Kondabaridi village.

He had been working as AOB Special Zone Committee member since November last and was involved in various offences.