Security forces intensify anti-naxal operations on Telangana-Chhattisgarh borders

Paramilitary forces along with Telangana and Chhattisgarh police personnel surround Karregutta area in Mulugu in view of reports that a large number of Maoists are taking shelter on the hillocks

Mulugu: Tension is building up in agency villages with the reported mobilisation and deployment of security forces around Karregutta area in Venkatapuram mandal of the district.

According to sources, over 5,000 paramilitary forces along with Telangana and Chhattisgarh police personnel were said to have moved to the area in view of reports that a large number of Maoists, including the most wanted naxalite Hidma, were taking shelter on Karregutta hillocks spread over a radius of 53 km.

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It was said the security forces have surrounded the area for a possible anti-naxal operation as part of ‘Operation Kagar’. An Indian Air Force helicopter arrived at Chinagangaram village in Venkatapuram mandal on Wednesday to assist the security personnel in the operation.

According to locals, there were some Guthikoya habitations on the hillocks and the Maoists were being supplied food and water from those habitations. Security forces were taking steps to cut off the food supply to Maoists. Though there was no official confirmation, social media was abuzz with rumours of exchange of fire between the security forces and Maoists. It was also being said that drone cameras were being employed in search operations.

It might be recalled that an unsigned statement issued by CPI (Maoist) Venkatapuram-Wazedu Area Committee secretary Shanta had advised adivasis not to venture into Karregutta forests as they had planted IEDs on the hillocks. Shanta had claimed that IEDs were planted to shield themselves from security forces.

Police were allegedly luring adivasis to serve as informers offering money and sending them onto the hillocks in the pretext of hunting wildlife, she alleged, also stating that adivasis sent into Karregutta forests by police were getting killed or injured due to the IEDs.