The outlawed CPI (Maoist) party has allegedly killed two tribal persons in the eastern ghats of Andhra's Visakhapatanam district.
The victims were identified by the police as Korra Ranga Rao (26) of Chitrakayaputtu in Pedabayalu mandal and Tambelu Lambaiah alias Divudu (40) of Kumkumpudi in GK Veedhi mandal. While Korra Rao was killed on Sunday, Divudu was shot dead late on Tuesday night, according to District Superintendent of Police, P Babujee Attada.
Both the deceased were reportedly former militia members of the Maoist party, and had been arrested and sent to jail earlier. After their release from jail, they had taken up farming in the village, say reports.
Villagers of Kumkumpudi say they are not aware of who killed Divudu and they had heard gunshots late in the night. Speaking to local media, a villager said that they found the dead body after rushing to the spot on hearing the gunshots.
Speaking to TNM, the SP said that the investigating team suspects the involvement of Maoists. He said, "This is the second killing within the span of a week. We are yet to ascertain how many have taken part in these crimes."
Meanwhile, a letter has surfaced in which Maoists have claimed responsibility for the killings, and said that the duo were acting as police informers. The SP said that the letter was being verified to assess it's veracity.
Police have registered separate murder cases with regard to both the incidents. In July this year, two other tribal persons were beaten to death allegedly by Maoists. The two men from Veeravaram in Chintapalle mandal were branded as police informers by Maoists. At that time, Maoists left a letter claiming responsibility and stated that they executed the murders as ‘an act of revenge’ for the deaths of two of their associates, Sharat and Ganapathi.
The tribal belt in the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) forests located amidst the eastern ghats is known for the presence of Maoists.