Tension Prevails in Andhra-Odisha Border Following Maoist Bandh Call

Vizag: Tension prevailed in several areas along the Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB) on Wednesday and Thursday following the five-state bandh call given by the outlawed Maoists.

Security agencies have increased vigil and are conducting massive search operations to nab the Maoists and their sympathisers. In former Maoists affected areas of Telangana such as Asifabad, Karimanagar, Siricilla and Adilabad cordon and search operations are underway. Intense search operations are also underway in Jayashankar district (formerly Bhopala mandal in Warangal), a former Maoists stronghold in view of the bandh call. Police pickets have been set on the Chattisgarh-Telangana border and all vehicles on the route are being thoroughly searched for potential trouble makers. In Andhra Pradesh, authorities have suspended RTC bus operations in Vizag agency areas. Additional forces have been deployed in the Visakha agency areas to twart any untoward incidents and check possible Maoists movement.

It may be recalled that the banned outfit has given a bandh call on Wednesday in the five states of Andhra, Telangana, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra to protest the `fake' police encounter in Malkangiri district of Odisha in which over two dozen rebels were killed last month. As a precautionary measure police of the two Telugu-speaking states have deployed additional security forces in the sensitive areas. Also, local political leaders of all parties who were known to be on hit-list of the ultras had been moved to safer areas.