Maoists from across borders target Vizag

Similar squads coming from across Chhattisgarh are trying to re-establish base in Khammam and Warangal districts,officials said. In Khammam and Warangal,government officials and contractors involved in laying roads close to the Chhattisgarh border dread these roaming squads who threaten workers and set machinery on fire. These are non-local groups. They dont have a base in the districts this side and come from across the border to try and establish themselves again, an official said.

In 2010,100 incidents involving such squads were reported in the five mandals of Vizag and in Khammam and Warangal districts,in which 24 civilians were killed. Between January 1 and June 30,2011,14 incidents were reported,mostly in Vizag district,in which three civilians were killed,five cellphone towers blasted,and government machinery destroyed. The villagers were killed as they were accused of being police informers or to simply create fear.

Officials believe the Maoists are desperate as Andhra has started work on laying roads in the remote and interior areas near the Chhattisgarh and Orissa borders,which will further reduce their influence in these parts.

On August 16,the Centre formally agreed to grant Rs 1,600 crore to Andhra to lay roads and bridges to provide anti-Maoist and paramilitary forces easy access to these areas,and to construct fortified security outposts to increase police presence in Adilabad,Khammam,Warangal,East Godavari,Visakhapatnam,Vizianagaram,and Srikakulam.