AP police arrest top Maoist at Andhra-Odisha border

VISAKHAPATNAM: ASR district police on Tuesday arrested Maoist top gun Janumuri Srinubabu alias Sunil alias Rhino, the prime accused in the murder of then Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former MLA Siveri Soma in 2018.

Police claimed that Srinubabu, who is the divisional committee member of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of the banned outfit, has been arrested following an exchange of fire between Maoists and security forces in a forest area along Andhra-Odisha Border.

The Maoist carries a cash reward of ₹5 lakh on his head.

ASR district police chief Satish Kumar said they have recovered a gun, an IED, some explosive material and cash from Srinubabu, who had joined the Maoist party in 2000 and worked in Yellavaram, Gurthedu and Nandapur dalams of the banned outfit.

Srinubabu became the commander of CRC-3 Company, the technical team of AOB committee of the party. He had also been the commander of the squad providing protection to Maoist top leader RK, who passed away a few months ago.

Police said the arrested Maoist has been involved in many offenses in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, including ambushes at various locations.

Srinubabu has been produced before the court, which has sent him for remand.

It may be recalled that a group of Maoists had gunned down Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao of TDP and former TD MLA Siveri Soma of the same constituency near Livitiput under Dumbriguda mandal close of the Odisha border in ASR district on September 23, 2018.