Visakhapatnam/Amaravati: The banned outfit CPI-Maoists shot dead Araku TDP MLA Kidari Sarveshwar Rao and former MLA Siveru Soma on Sunday morning at Lippittiputtu in Dambriguda mandal.
According to reports, some 60 Maoists participated in the attack. Confirming the Maoists’ attack, Visakha SP Rahul Dev said security forces went to the spot inspected the area. The police suspect that the attack was directed by AOB secretary Ramakrishna. It is learnt that MLA Surveshwara Rao was in Araku till 11 am. Later, when he went to Lippittiputtu village for field-level examination along with former MLA Siveru Soma, some 60 Maoists surrounded the MLA when he was discussing with the villagers.
The Maoists talked to the MLA on several issues took place recently. The Maoists lashed out at the MLA with regard to the MLA’s Gooda quarry and demanded that he close down the quarry as it was causing damage to environment. Reacting to the demand, Sarveshwar Rao said it was not proper to Maoists to threaten him and it was good to them to solve the issue through deliberations. Enraged over his comment, the extremists fired three rounds at the MLA and the former MLA killing them on the spot.
According to reports, the Maoists participated in the incident only to show their presence in the valley as Grey Hounds teams and Odisha police intensified combing in the Visakha agency area. The Maoists were trying to show their presence in the agency area by conducting their weekly celebrations and pasting wall-posters in the area. The Intelligence personnel had warned public representatives not to go to field visits without security. In the process, the Maoists killed Sarveshwara Rao and Soma.
Speaking to the media, Visakha Range DIG Srikanth said some 20 Maoists stopped MLA Sarveshwara Rao and former MLA Somu when they were proceeding to participate in Gramadharshini program from Araku at 12 noon. He said the Maoists snatched weapons of the gunmen of the MLA. The incident took place 15 km away from Odisha. Some 10 Maoists were carrying weapons when the incident took place. Srikanth said they were shifting the bodies to Visakha KGH.
Reacting to the incident, AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who was in America, expressed his deep shock over the Maoists killing of Sarveshwara Rao and Soma. He condemned the incident. Chandrababu praised the development done by Sarveshwara Rao and Soma. He conveyed his deep condolences to the bereaved families.
Chandrababu Naidu asked the public representatives to be careful when they participate in Grama Darshini. The Chief Minister’s Office directed the officials to take steps to provide full security to the public representatives participating in Grama Darashini.
Former IPS officer Seetharamarao opined that the Maoists gunned down the MLA and former MLA only to prove their presence in the Agency area. He said the Maoists killed the MLA and former MLA with prior plan to scare the people and the State government. The incident was a challenge to the government before the elections. The Maoists might have resorted to the violent incident with an intention to send indications that they were strengthening in the agency, the former IPS officer said and suggested to the public representatives to be careful as the general elections were nearing. (NSS)
