Andhra Pradesh police arrest 50 Maoist cadres in coordinated operation

In a major crackdown, Andhra Pradesh police have arrested 50 Maoist cadres across five districts in intelligence-based operations. Of those detained, 45 were produced before local courts and sent to 14-day judicial remand.

The operation followed a deadly encounter on November 18 in Alluri Seetharama Raju district, where top Naxal commander M. Hidma and five others were killed. "After Hidma’s death, we launched coordinated intelligence-driven operations across five districts and arrested 50 CPI (Maoist) cadres," said Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) (Intelligence) Mahesh Chandra Ladda during a press briefing in Vijayawada.

The arrested included members of the Special Zonal Committee, Divisional Committee, Area Committees, and general cadres operating in the South Bastar Dandakaranya region. According to police, this is one of the most extensive anti-Maoist operations in recent years, covering Krishna, Eluru, NTR, Kakinada, and Konaseema districts. State Intelligence Department teams, the Special Investigation Branch (SIB), district police units, and Vijayawada Commissioner's office staff participated in the operation.

Officials noted that many cadres fled from Sukma, Bijapur, Narayanpur, and West Bastar districts in Chhattisgarh due to continuous security pressure, and were subsequently arrested in Andhra Pradesh. During searches, police seized 39 weapons, 302 rounds of ammunition, explosives, detonators, cardex wires, communication devices, and cash worth ₹13 lakh.

The ADGP emphasized that three of the arrested were Special Zonal Committee members, with several others belonging to Divisional Committees, marking a significant blow to the Maoist leadership network. SIB chief PHD Ramakrishna added, "The operation was conducted with precise planning, ensuring no cadre escaped and no civilians were harmed."

Eluru SP K. Pratap Shiv Kishore highlighted that among the 15 cadres arrested in Eluru, one Special Zonal Committee member was a weapons expert and technician, considered a key asset for Maoist operations. The remaining cadres were from various Area Committees and held responsibilities in specific zones under multiple organizational structures.

Police are verifying the identities, ages, and backgrounds of the arrested cadres to understand how 15 members in Eluru gathered at the same location. "This process is complex due to the group’s organizational structure," officials noted.

Krishna district SP Vidya Sagar Naidu stated that 28 Maoist members arrested in Krishna district have been sent to Rajahmundry Central Jail after judicial remand. Kakinada SP G. Bindu Madhav confirmed that two arrested cadres were booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Arms Act, and both were members of Area Committees.

Konaseema district SP Rahul Meena added that the arrested individual was sent to 14-day judicial custody and charged under multiple sections, including UAPA, Arms Act, and Andhra Pradesh Public Safety Act.