The Maoist, identified a Damburu Khila, was caught by the police from Koraput’s Kodikhal village following tip-off.
DP MLA K. Sarveswara Rao (L) and former MLA Siveri Soma (R), who were gunned down by Maoists in Andhra Pradesh's Visakhapatnam district, on Sept 23, 2018. (File Photo: IANS)
The Odisha police on Friday arrested a hardcore Maoist in connection with the killing of two TDP leaders in Andhra Pradesh in September 2018.
The Maoist, identified a Damburu Khila, was caught by the police from Koraput’s Kodikhal village following tip-off.
Koraput Superintendent of Police, Kanwar Vishal Singh, said that two mobile phones were also seized from Khila.
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On 23 September, TDP MLA from Araku, K Sarveswara Rao, 45, and his party colleague and former MLA, Siveri Soma, 52, were gunned down by Maoists near Thutangi village, about 125 km from Visakhapatnam.
The case is being investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which had gathered information about Khila’s alleged involvement in the killings.
The police will hand over Khila to the NIA for further investigation.
Following the killings of the TDP leaders, party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed senior Cabinet colleague Kala Venkatrao to rush to the district. His party had said that such incidents are a “scar on humanity”.
“The government will give financial aid of Rs 1 crore to K Sarveswara Rao’s family, house plot in Visakhapatnam and a government job to a family member,” the TDP chief said.
“The government will give financial aid of Rs 10 lakh each to six family members of Siveri Soma and house plot in Visakhapatnam,” the CM said, adding, “On behalf of TDP, Rs 5 lakh will be given to each of the seven family members of Siveri Soma and four members of K Sarveswara Rao’s family.”
Read More: Andhra Pradesh CM announces financial aid for slain TDP leaders
In an immediate reaction to the killings, family members and supporters of the two leaders had torched Araku and Dumbriguda police stations in Visakhapatnam district accusing the police of “failing” to protect the leaders. They had also set fire to vehicles, furniture and other articles lying there.
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