Telangana-Chhatisgarh Border Tense Post Maoist Bid to Raze CRPF Camp

Kothagudem: Tension prevailed in the Telangana-Chhatisgarh border area as the police intensified combing operation in the forests after Maoists made an abortive attempt to destroy a CRPF base camp with a barrel grenade launcher (BGL) at Punuguppa of Cherla mandal in the district late on Wednesday night.

The grenade fell short of the camp of the 81st Battalion of CRPF which is pursuing anti-Maoist operations.

CRPF personnel retaliated and the exchange of fire between continued for 20 minutes. After the firing ceased, CRPF and Greyhounds personnel launched a combing operation in the area.

The attack and the aftermath left the locals of Raghunadhapalem, Chinthakunta and Punuguppa in a state of panic.

The district committee of Adivasi Hakkula Sangham released a letter, stating their rejection of the Maoist activities and support to development. The sangham questioned why the Maoists were celebrating 20 years of formation day. Over, 5,500 Dalits and Adivasis died after joining the banned outfit, believing the false stories of Maoist leaders, the sangham said.

Top Maoist leaders belong to the upper castes. They have been killing party members belonging to Dalits and Adivasis in the name of police informers, the sangham alleged.