Maoists on the rampage, blow up mobile tower

VISAKHAPATNAM: Buoyed by the success in the Chitrakonda ambush on Greyhounds personnel, the Maoists ran amok in the Andhra-Orissa Border (AOB) region on Wednesday by blasting a cellular tower and destroying a check-post as part of their Bharat bandh.

A Maoist dalam stormed the Alamanda division near AP-Orissa border and blew up a Reliance tower. In Chidivalasa under Rayagada block the rebels raided the check-post and destroyed the office records and furniture.

Sources said many villages in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East Godavari and Vizag agency region were in the grip of fear as the Maoists went about their task despite deployment of a heavy contingent of Greyhounds, Andhra Pradesh Special Police and civil constables to thwart any major incident.The Maoists cut trees to block roads in the Dandugam area, while in Nilavadi they warned traders of serious consequences if they buy forest produce from the girijans. Sources said the traders in the Vizag agency were so scared by the Maoist threats that they refused to take part in the weekly shandy.

The Maoists warned the traders against exploiting the tribals in Chintapally, G K Veedhi, G Madugula and other mandals. Before leaving the places, they left revolutionary literature. The bandh, however, evoked very little response.