How a safe haven for Maoists was overturned in one swoop
Police planned action after observing movement of large quantities of grains through the forest
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a payout of Rs4 million (Dh219,882) to the family of the slain Greyhound commando Mohammad Abu Bakar, who died in the encounter with the Maoists in the wee hours of Monday.
Andhra Pradesh DirectorGeneral of Police Samba Siva Rao and the additional director general, Greyhounds, K. Sureinder Babau visited the bereaved family of Abu Bakar in Visakhapatnam. Sambasiva Rao also announced that the family will continue to get his salary until the age of retirement.
Abu Bakar was airlifted from Malkangiri district in Odisha to King George Hospital, Visakapatanam but succumbed to the injuries midway. Abu Bakar, son of an auto rickshaw driver Mohammad Madina, had joined the Greyhound force in 2011. Maoist for the greater part of the last decade.
The Maoists, headed by Garajala Ravi, were ruling the region with impunity.
The same reservoir had witnessed the killing of 35 Greyhound commandos and three civilians in June 2008 when Maoists had ambushed a boat carrying the group in the reservoir. This time, the police managed to the turn the tables.
As intelligence poured in from different sources, top officials chalked out plans at Visakhapatnam airport and the commandos arrived in the vicinity two days in advance.
Odisha police got the first clue about the imminent gathering of Maoists when they arrested some local people including messengers (couriers) and grilled them.
Plenary gathering
They had also observed the movement of large quantities of grains and other essential commodities through the forest.
The operation’s plans were finalised jointly after Odisha police arrested the militants’ Andhra Pradesh counterparts, as the location was close to the AP border.
The meticulously planned operation was carried out as the Maoists, including their most senior leader in the AP-Odisha border area, Rama Krishna alias RK or Akkiraju Haragopa, had gathered for a plenary to chalk out the future course of action to further strengthen and intensify their activities, especially in Andhra Pradesh.