Malkangiri encounter: Maoists threaten to kill Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, son

Security agencies involved in anti-Maoist operations are on a high alert after the CPI (Maoist) issued a threat to the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son Lokesh, and pledged to avenge the killing of 28 Maoists in the Malkangiri operation. In a statement issued by the CPI (Maoists)’s AP state committee, the ultras have said that they will even press a suicide bomber, if necessary, to attack Naidu. [caption id=“attachment_3037574” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister, Andhra Pradesh. CNN-News 18[/caption] The police in Andhra Pradesh have taken notice of why the CPM has used its defunct AP state committee to issue a statement on an encounter that took place in Odisha. Once their stronghold, Andhra Pradesh (Telangana included), has all key Maoist leaders in its territory either killed or arrested. “For an encounter in Andhra-Odisha border area, their AOBSZC (Andhra-Odisha Border Special Zone Committee) should have issued a statement,” said a state police official. The police suspect that the overground supporters of Maoists issued the statement in AP state committee’s name. Security briefs suggest that Maoists will retaliate sooner than later in response to the Malkangiri encounter. “They will carry out an attack to boost the morale of the cadre and also to show that a setback like the one in Malkangiri is just a part of its war against the Indian state,” said the police official. The police are suspecting retaliatory attacks in Maoist hotbeds like Bastar in Chhattisgarh or Gadchiroli in Maharashtra. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have also been on alert as the police suspect the Maoists may try to carry out an audacious attack in the state to send a signal that they have not been wiped out completely from their erstwhile bastion. Political leaders have been advised not to travel through interior areas. In Telangana, arrangements have been made at vulnerable government offices to prevent loss of property. The surrendered Maoist cadres and police informers also have been asked to take precautions.