VISAKHAPATNAM: In yet another major jolt to the left wing extremists, two members of the banned CPI (Maoist) including its divisional committee member of Galikonda area Gemmeli Narayana Rao alias Jambri were killed in a exchange of fire with the Greyhounds in the Annavaram forest area near Mampa village of Koyyuru mandal in Visakhapatnam district on Saturday morning. Jambri was one among the top tribal leaders in the Vizag Agency. The police also recovered one Thompson sub-machine gun, a shotgun, three detonators, explosive mounted bow-arrow, two kit bags and a Maoist literature.
The other deceased has been identified as militia member Chitti Babu of Veeravaram village, GK Veedhi mandal of Visakhapatnam Agency.
Visakhapatnam Rural SP Rahul Dev Sharma told the media on Friday evening that the exchange of fire took place at around 8.30 am in Annavaram forest region. The Greyhounds, after gathering information from the intelligence, reached the area where around 15 Maoists were conducting a meet. “The Greyhounds asked the Maoists to surrender, but the latter opened fire. Countering the action, the police forces too opened fire.
According to Vizag Rural Police, Jambri, a native of Mettiguda village in GK Veedhi Mandal, was carrying a reward of `4 lakh on his head. He joined the dalam around 20 years ago as a militia member and rose to the DCM cadre over the years.
A police release said that Jambri was wanted in 65 cases, including 15 murder cases, eight exchange of fire, eight landmine blasts and several arsons. Police also said Jambri was the key accused in killing three tribals and injuring six at Saagulu in 2013. He also killed 15 tribals after framing them as informers and took part in attacks on police at Balimela reservoir in which 37 policemen died in 2008.
Asked about the speculations over fire exchange in the same mandal on Feb 23, Rahul Dev Sharma ruled it out and said they just picked up a few militia men for counselling and they had been sent home. The bodies of the Maoists are yet to reach plain area when last reports came in.