Prevent Maoist attack: CM

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, has asked the police to ramp up security for public representatives and be on the alert to thwart attacks by Maoists.

He gave these directions while reviewing the security situation in the wake of the Maoist attack in Visakhapatnam on Monday. Maoists had gunned down the vice-chairperson of the Zilla Parishad, Mr U. Somalingam, at his house in Choudupalle.

The security of MLAs and ministers in North Andhra has already been stepped up. The ministers, Mr Botsa Satynarayana, Mr Dharmana Prasada Rao and Mr Balaraju were asked to be on alert. Public representatives have also been asked not to go to remote areas.

The intelligence IG, Mr Mahender Reddy, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr A.K. Khan, took part in the review meeting. The police officers explained to the Chief Minister how the Maoist attacks took place in Vishakapatnam in the past two days. The state government has also decided to ask the Union home ministry to provide a helicopter to the state for shifting injured persons in emergency situations. “We will be talking to the Union home minister on this,” said the state home minister Ms P. Sabita Indra Reddy.