Naxals ready for a showdown with cops?

Khammam, Nov 19:  Have the ‘most wanted’ Maoists changed their combat style? Apparently, such Naxalites have drawn battle-lines with the police by evolving a strategy to take on the forces through guerilla warfare. At least, posters released by the Maoists in Vazedu mandal of Khammam district in the wee hours of Thursday signal in this direction.The posters put up in various parts of the mandal dare the police in Dandakaranya forest to get ready for swoop any time.

 The posters call for confrontation with the ‘Operation Green Hunt’ launched by the Union Government.The Maoists have also given a call to the local tribals to attack the police forces that have consolidated their position in Dandakaranya after stepping up their combing operations. The police also suspect that the Maoists are enlisting the support of the  Gothi Koyas to carry out attacks on them.In view of these developments, the police have kept a close watch on the movement of Gothi Koyas visiting Khammam district from Chhattisgarh in search of livelihood. The Gothi Koyas are being taken to the police stations for counselling in Manuguru, Venkatapuram, Chinthuru and Mothugudem areas.

The police officials are trying to explain the consequences of providing shelter to Maoists or assisting them.Meanwhile, the Rosaiah Government has launched a massive manhunt for the extremists in Dandakaranya. Thousands of armed police, CoBRAs and CRPF personnel are engaged in the combing operations. Tight vigil is being maintained to check the infiltration of Maoists from the Chhattisgarh side into Andhra Pradesh.About 10,000 people have shifted to the agency areas of Khammam. Such migrants’ photographs and video images are also being taken by the police in a bid to suppress Maoist activities.