Two days after a high-level meeting between the DGPs of four Maoist-affected states, along with counter insurgency officials was held in Visakhapatnam, armed members of the CPI (Maoist) set fire to a BSNL cell tower near Darakonda village in Visakha Agency area on Wednesday night.
Quoting sources, Telangana Today reported that around 15 to 20 armed cadre of Galikonda Area Committee, believed to led by a commander Naveen, went to the BSNL tower and set fire to it, with the help of some discarded tires.
The arson is seemingly a clear message from the banned outfit, that it still enjoys power in the two Telugu states, and especially in Visakhapatnam's Agency area.
Some handwritten posters were also left at the spot, which asked local TDP and BJP leaders to clearly spell out their stand on bauxite mining.
“The attack on Wednesday was carried out by Korukonda Dalam led by Naveen and supported by Galikonda Dalam along with a huge militia. Villagers had protested their move to burn the cellphone tower panels and batteries. They did it symbolically by partially burning the tower equipment. Out of the 43 mandals in Vizag, the Maoists are active in 17 mandals. Of this, eight are severely affected and nine are moderately affected. There are several incidents including arson, beating up locals and burning earthmovers.They are now targeting communication equipment,” Visakhapatnam Rural SP , Rahul Dev Sharma, told the Times of India.
The posters also highlighted the Vakapalli incident that recently came up for hearing in the Supreme Court, where 11 Adivasi women in Andhra were allegedly gang raped in 2007 by police personnel.
The incident took place on August 20, 2007 in the undivided Andhra Pradesh, when 11 Adivasi women belonging to Kondh tribe of Vakapalli village in the Nurmati panchayat of the Agency area, in Visakhapatnam, were allegedly gang raped by the Greyhounds personnel (an elite anti-naxal force) at gun point.
According to reports, a larger attack may be carried on October 24, when Maoists will be observing the first anniversary of the Ramgarh incident in which about 30 cadres were killed.
“The Maoists have been planning something big to avenge the killing,” DSP of Chintapalle Anil Kumar told The Hindu.