The families of the three TDP members who were kidnapped by CPI (Maoist) naxalites four days ago held a demonstration in G.K. Veedhi on Thursday, demanding their release. They also urged the State Government not to proceed with its plans to resume bauxite mining in the Agency areas of Visakhapatnam.
With Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu scheduled to visit to the Araku Valley on October 12, the continuing captivity of TDP mandal unit president Mamidi Balayya Padal, senior leader Vandalam Balayya and district committee member Mukkala Mahesh is likely to prove embarrassing to him if they are not released by then.
Tensions mounted in the three families as police said they have no clue as to where they have been taken. Rumours arose in the valley that the captives have been moved to a thickly forested hideout on the interstate border with Odisha. Fearful of their familiess’safety, local TDP leaders have moved to Visakhapatnam. There was no response from the Government or the TDP to the abduction on Thursday too. The Maoists are demanding an end to plans to exploit bauxite ore in the Agency hills and the resignation of all local TDP functionaries from primary membership of the party. The CPI (Maoist) has set a week’s deadline for the Government to come out with a statement that bauxite mining would not be resumed.
The TDP men were taken from their homes in Kothaguda village by a group of about 40 Maoists led by a senior leader of CPI (Maoist)’s Andhra-Odisha Special Zonal Committee on Monday evening. Police have advised ruling party leaders not to move around without informing the local police officers. Prior to the abduction there had been vigorous combing operations in the forests but personnel have been reined in the last few days.
