E-Paper
Attack on Naidu not stage-managed: Police
Andhra Pradesh Police have said the attack on the TDP leader was "definitely" carried out by Maoist guerrillas, and not "stage-managed".
Andhra Pradesh Police on Monday said the attack on Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader K Yerran Naidu was "definitely" carried out by Maoist guerrillas and dismissed speculation it was "stage-managed" to gain the sympathy of voters.
Yerran Naidu and five others escaped with minor injuries when the rebels triggered a landmine blast under their vehicle near Srikakulam town early Monday, police said.
He is seeking re-election from the Srikakulam Lok Sabha constituency, which is going to the polls in the first phase of the general election on Tuesday.
Director General of Police SR Sukumara faced a volley of questions at a news conference here as to what made him believe the outlawed People's War Group (PWG) had triggered the blast.
"The modus operandi shows it was definitely done by the PWG," he said, expressing displeasure at the suggestion that the attack could have been stage-managed to gain the sympathy of voters.
Sukumara evaded questions on whether the attack was proof of the police's failure to counter the Maoists and whether action would follow against the policemen concerned.
"We have ordered an inquiry into the incident," was all he said.
Sukumara said he suspected the landmine could have been planted on the night of April 16.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who survived a mine blast last year, travelled along the same national highway four days ago while campaigning in the region. He said top police officials and polling officers also used the route Sunday.
Sukumara, however, said Yerran Naidu was not travelling in the bulletproof car provided to him. He appealed to all VIPs on the PWG's hit list to use vehicles provided to them for their security.
The attack on Yerran Naidu is a pointer to the growing activities of the PWG in areas along the Andhra Pradesh-Orissa border.
Sukumara said rebel activities had drastically reduced in their stronghold of north Telangana but increased on the inter-state border and the Nallamala region.
He said after the polls, the state police would launch operations against the rebels in coordination with Orissa and Chattisgarh. The approach would be multi-pronged, focussing on law and order and socio-economic development.
