Maoist threat: Red alert in AP's Visakha Agency, security beefed up at Bhadrachalam in TS

Hyderabad, Nov 22: Even as Andhra Pradesh police have issued a red alert in the Visakhapatnam Agency area, Telangana police have beefed up security in Bhadrachalam of Khammam district following intelligence reports that Maoists were likely to resort to attacks during the first week of December. Telangana police deployed additional forces at Bhadrachalam with reports that Maoists are likely to organise an event for the cause of martyrs starting from Dec 3 to 9. Maoists have been serving warnings to the TS government over its policies. Police are of the opinion that Maoists may disturb the integrity of Telangana during these days. Sensitive areas like Cherla, Bhadrachalam, Kothagudem and Chintoor Bhadrachalam have been kept under strict police vigil. Meanwhile, intelligence reports said there has been an increase in activities of Maoists in the Visakhapatnam agency area after the bifurcation of the state. The reports said Maoists are preparing to launch raids in the Araku Valley at any moment in order to crush opposition to them in that region. The reports said Maoist activity has, therefore, increased in that part of the agency area. In view of these developments, the intelligence reports have cautioned the Visakha Agency police to be ever alert. Following which, the police have issued a red alert in the region. Police have increased checking of all vehicles in the border regions linking Odisha state.