Maoists vow for revenge of M’giri encounter, issue life threat to AP CM

Visakhapatnam: Two days after the fierce encounter in which 28 ultras were gunned down, the Andhra Pradesh State Committee of CPI (Maoist) on Wednesday issued a life threat to Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh.

In a press release sent to the media and signed by CPI (Maoist) A.P. State committee official spokesperson Shyam said Naidu escaped the attempt on his life at Alipiri (the foothills of Tirumala in Chittoor district) in October 2003, but he would not be able to escape this time. “If necessary, we will use a suicide bomber to attack you (Naidu). No police or military force can save you this time,” the release said.

Shyam also alleged that the encounter in the forest of Malkangiri in Odisha was a major covert operation. The security forces of Andhra-Odisha mixed sedatives in the foods of the Maoists. After they fell unconscious, the police opened fire at them indiscriminately and killed 24 of them in a cold-blooded manner. Later, four other cadres were kidnapped and subjected to torture before they were shot dead by the police, the release added.

The CPI (Maoists) warned that even former Maoists, who have been aiding the security polices, will be severely punished. The statement said the rebels who have already surrendered and joined hands with the government will not be spared.

The Maoist spokesperson claimed that a Greyhound commando was not injured in the exchange of fire, but accidentally slipped into Balimela reservoir. Police used his body to claim the encounter genuine, he alleged.