Khammam,Dec 14: The police have lately discovered that the Maoist movement is operating from three core areas in the Agency in the district.According to police, three area committees of Maoists are operating simultaneously from Kothagudem-Narsampeta area,Wazedu-Venkatapuram area and Shabari area. The police believe that about 35 to 40 Maoist activists have been working in the district.The police, apparently have stepped up combing efforts in the identified areas to eliminate the cadres.Armed police forces were also deployed there.About 15 land mines were unearthed by the police at Karakagudem two days ago.On Sunday,Vajja Rangaiah who was a dalam commander was gunned down by the police in an exange of fire at Ellandu forest.It is believed that Balu, another Maoist, was taken by the police before he was found dead at the encounter spot. This is the first encounter in Ellandu police sub-division limits in the past two years.
The Vajja Rangaiah encounter led to tension in the area.Maoists activities in Ellandu have been suppressed by the police since the beginning of 2008. The encounter killing of Dalam commander Punem Swami was reported in January of 2008. After the incident, several Maoist leaders like Vasanth, Balanna, Bharghav, Lalitha, Geetha, Narsimha, Joga Rambabu, Ravuri Satheesh, Pocharam Ravi, Kommu Rama Swami and Avudoddi Srinu surrendered to the police. These surrenders have subdued the Maoist activities in Ellandu forest.Maoist leader Dayakar was encountered in Warangal. This led to the decline in Maoist activities in the area.However, leaders like Sudhakar and Pushpakka have been carrying forward the activities.On Sunday Vajja Rangaiah,a dalam commander, was also killed by the police in an encounter. Superintendent of police Anil Kumar said the Maoist activities intensified in Ellandu area because of the stepped up combing operations.“As we get information from the sources, we begin combing for the Maoist dumps in the area,” he added and renewed his appeal to the Maoists to give up arms and join the mainstream.