TRS LEADERS MIGRATE IN FEAR OF NAXAL ATTACKS

Several leaders of the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) are said to have moved to more secure locations out of fear of being attacked by leaders of the CPI (Maoist) who have vowed to retaliate to the recent encounter which resulted in the death of ten Maoists.

The police in Maoistaffected areas have asked political leaders to take precautions against the ‘Maoist threat’. Following their advice, several mandallevel and district-level TRS leaders, particularly those from the agency areas and Khammam, Adilabad, Warangal and Karimnagar districts, have moved to the city, where they are living with relatives or friends.

The police believe that Maoist Action Teams may attack political leaders to send a message to the government. “Security has already been provided to the top leaders at the district level, including legislators and leaders of district committees. There is usually no threat to lower-rung leaders, except in such situations. So they are being asked to take precautions,” said a senior police official.

A senior TRS leader from Karimnagar, who is the chairman of a corporation, admitted that there was a sense of fear within the cadre after the recent attack. “A few party workers have come to the city and have been staying with their relatives for the last few days. Those who live in remote areas, though they may not be on the Maoists’ hit list, prefer to move to towns for safety reasons,” he said.