No combing by ferry

RAJAHMUNDRY: In wake of the Maoist ambush of Greyhounds personnel ferrying in Balimela reservoir on Andhra-Orissa Border (AOB) on June 29, the Anti-Naxal Squads (ANS) operating in the Khammam and twin Godavari districts have been issued standing instructions not to undertake combing operations by using ferries on Godavari river.

They were asked not to use boats or launches even for crossing the river from one side to the other but reach the spots only by vehicles or on foot.

If inevitable the combing parties should allow only 10 policemen per boat. Before starting, they should ensure that there were no movement of Naxalites in the area. The other policemen in the party will cross the river by keeping a vigil on the surrounding areas.

They have also been asked to keep a watch on the boat operators and their movements should not be disclosed to the boat operators in advance. The Greyhounds police should take the help of the local civil police and civilians for reaching the otherside of the shore.

The police will search the area by using helicopters whenever there have specific information about the Maoist movements in the islands or on the islets located in the river.

According to senior police officials, some 3,500 sq km of the 4,500 sq km in the district is identified as Naxal-infested. The river width is about 3 km and it will take 15 to 20 minutes to cross using a boat and reach Malkangiri, Khammam or West Godavari districts.

The police said that CPI (Maoist) platoons consisting of 25 to 30 members and a local dalam were operating actively in East Godavari district.

The Galikonda platoon, headed by East division secretary Jagadish, is active in Gurthedu, Pathakota, Dusarthi, Y Ramavaram and Addateegala areas and also under Koyyuru and G K Veedhi police station limits in Visakhapatnam district.

Khammam district platoon, headed by District Committee member Naveen, Malkangiri platoon, under supervision of divisional committee member K Balraj alias Bagath and Chattisgarh platoon also move in Maredumilli, Donkarai and others areas in East Godavari district. The Nagulakonda dalam, which was formed recently, is active in Rajavommangi, Jeddangi and other mandals.

The Central Reserve Company is headed by Maoist State Committee member Sagar and will be monitored by the Maoist Central Committe