KHAMMAM: Yellandu MLA Koram Kanakaiah received an extortion threat from Maoists allegedly.
Police have traced the call and launched a manhunt for the person who demanded cash from the MLA.
Police, in their preliminary investigation, suspected the handiwork of fake Naxals as the modus operandi did not indicate the work of Maoist groups.
According to sources, the MLA received a call 15 days ago and the caller introduced himself as Damodar, secretary of Khammam and Bhadradri Kothagudem districts Maoist party and asked him to arrange cash as their top leader Prakash was ill and undergoing treatment in a hospital.
Kanakaiah, who grew suspicious about the caller’s credentials, asked him to give proof that he was from Maoist party and to send the party’s official letter to him.
The MLA immediately informed about the phone call to police, who installed CCTV cameras at his residence in Tekulapalli mandal.
Five days ago, when the MLA was not at his house an unknown person came and introduced himself as Bhadru, dalam commander of Maoist party and handed over a letter to the MLA’s wife. While leaving he abused the MLA for delay in arranging cash. Speaking to Express, Yellandu DSP Prakash Rao said, “We have traced the phone call.”
“We are suspecting the handiwork of some fake Naxals,” he added. A case has been registered and investigation is underway.