Maoists still active in AOB zone?

VISAKHAPATNAM: The release of kidnapped revenue officials by Maoists of the Korukonda Area Committee at Balapam village of Chintapalle mandal in the district on Wednesday has sent a strong message to the government that despite several strategies including increased surveillance and  community development programmes in tribal villages, the influence of Maoist outfits in the Andhra-Odisha Border has not waned. Revenue department officials including Paderu RDO KRD Prasad Rao and deputy tahsildar of Chintapalle Mangu were abducted and later released by Maoists after warning them of dire consequences if the police failed to withdraw cases against Balapam villagers, who occupied the AP Forest Development Corporation’s coffee plantations last year. “A group of eight Maoists came while we were identifying lands for providing land pattas under the Forest Rights Act at Balapam village. They  asked us to take steps to withdraw cases against tribals, who occupied the coffee plantations and are living in fear after police filed cases against them,” Prasad Rao told Express.However, additional superintendent of police (ASP), Chintapalle, Gopinath Jetti said Maoists’ demand is aimed at garnering the support of  tribals in Chintapalle and surrounding areas. Around 96 villagers of Balapam had occupied coffee plantations with the active support of Maoists. Consequently, police registered cases against them.