Maoists set free 3 abducted TDP leaders

Visakhapatnam, Oct 15: The three Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders who were abducted from Kothaguda village of Gudem Kotha Veedhi mandal in Visakhapatnam district on October 5, have been released at 4 am today. The Maoists abducted the TDP leaders demanding that the government scrap bauxite mining in the agency areas and decision to set up police outposts in some tribal villages. Tribal Employees Association leaders held negotiations with the Maoists and secured the release of GK Veedhi mandal TDP president Mamidi Balaiah Padal, district executive council member Mukkali Mahesh and another senior leader Vangadam Balaiah. Tribal employees from GK Veedhi and Chintapalli mandals held talks with Maoists for two days. It may be noted that the Maoists asked AP Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu to scrap bauxite mining projects in the area. It is learnt that Maoists told the TDP leaders and activists to resign to the party and intensify agitations against bauxite mining.