Banned Maoist Outfit CPI(M) Holds Meeting In Malkangiri, Calls For Resisting ‘Illegal Arrests’ By Government 

A meeting of more that 1,500 tribals of the banned CPI (Maoist) was held near the Bejingi forest region in the cut-off area of the Andhra Odisha Border (AOB) under the Chitrakonda police station limits, reports The Hindu.

The Hindu quoted sources saying that Gajarla Ravi, the secretary of the AOBSZC (Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee), addressed it. However, it also suggests that it was organised and addressed by the militia members, but the cadres were present nearby.

The Maoists focussed on the alleged illegal arrests post the killing of Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former MLA Siveri Soma on 23 September 2018, near Livitiput village in Dumbriguda mandal in Visakhapatnam agency.

According to the reports, the Maoists appealed to the tribals to maintain unity and resist the illegal arrests and detentions.

They stressed that they owned up the responsibility for the killings and through an official communication said the operation was undertaken by an action squad of the PLGA (People’s Liberation Guerilla Army).