ELURU: The Jangareddigudem DSP J. Venkatrao addressing a press conference at Butyagudem police station, on Wednesday, said that Anti-Naxal Squad (ANS) on receiving information about the movement of CPI-ML (New Democracy) Chandranna Dalam members in Buttayagudem agency forest area began combing operations on Monday night. During the combing operations, the police arrested three members of the group at Upparilla village in Buttayagudem Mandal on Tuesday and handed them over to the police on Wednesday.
The DSP said that they arrested include Pallala Prakash alias Prakash Reddy alias Dharmanna (45), of Jajivalasa in Ramavaram of East Godavari district, Madakam Ramarao alias Ramanna (55) of Kannapuram and Nadapala Somaraju (28) of old Alineru village. “One country-made rifle and six rounds of bullets were recovered from the accused,” Venkatrao said.
Speaking about the arrested, the DSP said that the prime accused Dharmanna is the Commander of the Chandranna Dalam, while the other two worked as couriers.
“For the past 20 years, the prime accused Dharmanna was working with the New Democracy. In 2004, he became a member of the Dalam and later was made Commander. His activity extended to East and West Godavari agencies and was also leading an eight-member armed team.
Dharmanna was an underground cadre,” Venkatrao said. The Buttayagudem police has registered cases under Section 25(1), (a), 27 of Indian Arms Act 1959, Section 4(6), 5 of Explosive Substance Act 1884, Section 10, 13 of Unlawful activities prevention Act 1968 and Section 8(1) (2) of A.P. Public Security Act, 1992 on the charges of illegal possession of arms, recruitment of activists for Naxalite movement, conspiracy, and extortion against the three.