Poster of slain leader questions Maoists

Sarveshwara Rao and his associate Somu were shot dead last week

The anger and resentment among supporters of two slain Telugu Desam Party leaders — Kadiri Sarveshwara Rao and Siveri Soma — has found a new way of expression in the tribal areas of Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.

Posters have appeared in and around Araku valley in the tribal area in the name of “Martyr Siveri Somu” asking the Maoists a few hard-hitting questions.

Sarveshwara Rao, a TDP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Araku and his associate Somu, a former MLA, were shot dead by a group of Maoists last week.

The red-coloured poster, designed in the form of a letter from the slain Somu to the Maoists has created a major stir in the region.

The poster with the mug shot of Somu as well as the photo of his bullet-ridden body asks the Maoists to answer why he was killed.

“I am a former MLA. I have six children. The eldest son also could not get a job. I stay in a rented house. What wrong have I done? If I had done something wrong, did you give me a warning? No, you did not. Then why did you kill me? So far you did not answer me. For whom was I a class enemy? Dear Maoists please tell me. At least the rights organisations answer me,” it says.

Bearing Telugu script in white font, the red poster has the same pattern and design normally used by the Maoists.

Many people in the region, especially the ruling TDP supporters and tribal communities, were still shocked and stunned over the killing of the two leaders.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who visited Araku and met the families of both victims, announced Rs10 million (Dh506,295) assistance and a job for the son of the MLA Sarveshwara Rao.

The red-coloured poster, written and designed in the form of a letter from the slain former MLA Somu to the Maoists, has created a major stir in the region.