Cache of explosives led to AU Professor's arrest

Visakhapatnam, Nov 7: The recovery of a major cache of explosives from two persons is said to have led Visakhapatnam police to Andhra University professor J Appa Rao and a dentist named Jagadeesh. Police had arrested both of them Thursday for having alleged Maoist links. Visakhapatnam police said they identified the professor after arresting a contractor named Ganapathyraju Subbaraju and a mining lease owner named Varupari Prasad along with 300 kg ammonium nitrate, 500 kg electronic detonators and 100 kg non-electrical detonators along with cell phones Wednesday night. The two persons were allegedly acting as couriers, police said. They also said on interrogation the two persons had revealed the alleged role of the professor in supplying explosives to the Maoists. Police arrested Professor Rao from his home late Wednesday night. Appa Rao is said to have spoken to the contractor and the mine lease owner to arrange for the transport of the explosives from Kathipudi of East Godavari to alleged Maoist hideouts in Visakhapatnam. Rao has been working as a professor of Telugu at Andhra University since 2007. Vizag police chief Koyya Praveen said Appa Rao was a close associate of key Maoist leaders in the district and was in active touch with them in addition to supplying them with essentials.