Maoists extend deadline to govt on bauxite mining by 48 hours
VISAKHAPATNAM: Maoists on Monday extended the deadline they gave to
the state government for scraping the proposed bauxite mining project in
the Visakha Agency by another 48 hours in exchange for releasing the
three abducted TDP tribal leaders. The initial deadline was Monday
(October 12). They also demanded that the state government stop all
combing operations in the Andhra-Odisha Border areas and announce
cancellation of the mining proposal within two days.
They warned of dire consequences if the government ignored their
threat. The Maoists had abducted three tribal leaders, Mukkali Mahesh,
Mamidi Balayya Padal and Vandalam Balayya, exactly a week ago and had
leveled allegations of corruption against Visakha Rural SP Koya Praveen
and Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mahapatro. CPI (Maoists) East Division
leader Ramana also released a press note in the Visakha Agency on Monday
demanding that the state government stops attacks on tribals in AOB
areas. He alleged that the Visakha Rural cops had illegally arrested 35
tribals from Gillelabanda, Sabbapalli and Taddipalli in Balapam area and
clamped illegal cases against them.
He asked if this was the friendly policing the rural cops were
talking about. Alleging that Korra Sriramulu of Velamjuvvi village in
Balapam panchayat was illegally arrested a few weks ago, the Maoist
leader demanded that the state government present him in court. Ramana
further demanded that the state government stop setting up police
outposts at Korukonda, Jerrela, Sapparla and Darakonda villages in the
Agency. “All these efforts are nothing but to benefit bauxite companies
and not tribals,” he alleged. Ramana also alleged that the naxal wing of
the Visakha Rural police has been strengthening its informer network.
“They have been harassing the Agency tribals. The PLGA will teach them a
lesson if they do not mend their ways,” he warned.
Govt Responsible for Hostages’ Life: Maoists
VISAKHAPATNAM : In a bid to mount pressure on the State government to
stop bauxite mining in Visakhapatnam agency, the banned Maoists Monday
demanded an announcement by the State government in the next two days.
The Maoists warned the government that their decision would determine
the fate of the three Telugu Desam Party leaders who are being held
hostage. TDP mandal president Mamidi Balayya Padal, senior leader
Vandalam Balayya and district committee member Mukkala Mahesh were
abducted from GK Veedhi mandal last Monday.
In a letter released to the media in the name of Maoist east division
committee leader Ramana, the Maoists put forward a series of demands,
including stopping the combing operations in Andhra-Odisha border,
releasing one Korra Sriramulu of Velamjuvvi village from police custody
and also stop registration of illegal cases against the tribals. “The
establishment of police outposts at Korukonda, Jarrela, Sapparla and
Darakonda areas was only to help the companies involved in bauxite
mining. They serve no purpose for the tribals,” the release said. The
extremists further levelled allegations against the police officers of
Vzag district and Malkanagiri district in Odisha for supporting the
mining companies.
They claimed that the police were resorting to attacks on the tribals
in the name of ‘Friendly Policing’ and threatening them with dire
consequences to obtain information on Maoist movement. Meanwhile, the
kin of the hostages Monday met Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the
Circuit Guest House during the latter’s visit to the city and urged him
to initiate measures for the release of the hostages. Chandrababu Naidu
enquired about the status of the case and directed the officials to
ensure the safe release of the TDP leaders under any circumstances. The
family members said that the CM promised to do everything for the
release of the leaders. However, there has been no further information
about the hostages so far.
Bandh Peaceful
The Maoist bandh called in the agency areas Monday and Tuesday
demanding dropping bauxite mining in the agency by the TDP government,
has been peaceful on the first day. The banned extremists accused the
TDP government of helping the multi-national companies in bauxite mining
in the ecologically sensitive region while trying to make them
scapegoats.
No comments:
Post a Comment