UAV to track Maoists in agency this summer

VISAKHAPATNAM: While tribal areas in the district are recording low temperatures with even mild snowfalls witnessed in many interior tribal pockets, police are gearing up to deploy an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) in Maoist bed areas in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts, especially near the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) to track left wing extremists this summer.
Sources said police are awaiting dry, hot climate to return in tribal areas to deploy UAVs to retrieve clear images of Maoist movements. A few weeks ago, DGP V Dinesh Reddy, on his first visit to the city, had said police will induct a UAV in North Andhra districts and AOB areas in February first week.However, superintendent of police G Srinivas said the UAV is yet to be deployed, due to some technical problems. A UAV would help track Maoists in forest areas as the images would reach base stations, following which, forces could be mobilised in a helicopter to nab rebels in AOB areas, he said. The UAV will have its base station at Madurapudi in Rajahmundry. Also, a 17seater chopper will fly from Bheemili road on the city outskirts to track rebels. The cost of the UAV and helicopter operations will be borne by the Union Home Ministry, said Srinivas.