A group of six men, allegedly belonging to the banned Communist Party of India (CPI) Maoist, has killed Maaduri Bheemeshwar Rao, a former leader of the ruling TRS party, in Mulugu district of Telangana, on Saturday night. According to police, the incident took place at Alubaka village in Venkatapuram mandal of Mulugu. The police said that at least six members barged into Maaduri Bheemeshwar’s house before they dragged him out and stabbed him with a knife.
Speaking to TNM, the district police officials have confirmed the murder while withholding the further details. However, the police alleged that Bheemeshwar was murdered as he refused to give funds to the Maoist party.
The six men left a letter at the scene of the crime, which is being examined by the police. The letter, purportedly written by Maoists, sought the resignation of local TRS and BJP leaders while warning that the "similar fate" will be meted out on the people who are "dominating" people.
A case of murder has been registered and an investigation is underway. In a communication to TNM, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sai Chaitanya said that he was killed by six armed Maoists as he refused to pay funds for the party.
"The deceased was a TRS party member but has given up all political activities and was living his life as a fertiliser shop owner. They had asked him for some party fund, but he stopped giving any money,” said the ASP, adding that the Maoists alleged that Bheemeshwar was killed for "acting as an informer" for the police.
Bheemeshwar is survived by his wife and three children. According to the police, the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) leader was running a pesticide shop in Venkatapuram.
The ASP further stated, "They have committed this crime in retaliation to the recent deaths of their cadres in encounters, and to instil fear in tribal areas."
In the month of September, Telangana saw as many as four encounters between the police and Maoists, resulting in the deaths of eight alleged Maoists. Three encounter killings took place in Bhadradri Kothagudem and one in KB Asifabad.
With the fresh incident, the district police have alerted the public representatives and increased vigilance across the interior regions. The Mulugu district, along with Jayashankar Bhupalapally, Kothagudem, KB Asifabad and Adilabad, has been witnessing extensive combing operations by the state Greyhounds (Anti -Maoist Special Police Unit).