The gruesome killing of TDP MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former MLA Siveru Soma was solely aimed to prove Maoists’ existence and their ability to increase their activities in agency areas.
However, the police dismiss this as an unexpected, surprise incident considering the fact that the MLA ventured out and became an easy target despite repeated caution issued by the police about the Maoist movements in the Araku valley and nearby areas.
The Maoists themselves have pasted wall posters in tribal areas in the past few months saying that they will target the MLA because of his continued support to the bauxite mining in tribal till tracts.
Though the MLA went as an ordinary passenger in a bus with his followers to attend a government programme, he was spotted by the Moists by sheer accident and this had eventually led to the killing. The local tribal people had also joined the Maoists to stop the bus carrying MLA.
Unfortunately for the MLA, the Maoists are celebrating their ‘Vaarotsavams’ (week long conclave) in Araku limits. This is the first incident involving a top political leader in over a decade in Visakhapatnam agency.
Maoists Andhra Orissa Border Committee top leader Pratap Reddy alias Chalapati was stated to have been moving in Araku area now.
The MLA had recently left YCP and joined TDP saying that he did that under pressure from his followers for the development of his constituency.
The Maoists have long been opposing keeping in view the largest livelihood interests of the tribal populations there.
The bauxite mining issue has long been a matter of great concern for Maoists as it would not only disturb tribal villages, their livelihoods but also become a hurdle for the Maoist operations in the Araku jungles and hills.
The government has been encouraging mining keeping in view the revenue in the form of royalty and taxes. Following awareness, tribal populations are also opposing the mining since this would disturb forests thereby denying them any chances of collecting honey and other forest produce to eke out their living.
Moreover, pollution arising out of dust and mining was also feared to make life unbearable in tribal hamlets in valley mining area.
