Three Maoists arrested, ammunition recovered

Mahbubabad: Police on Friday arrested three ultras belonging to the CPI-ML New Democracy (armed faction) and seized arms and ammunition from them. Among those arrested included deputy commander Pavan Kalyan alias Rakesh and two couriers - Vasam Venkanna and Jakkula Sammaiah. 

According to Superintendent of Police N Koti Reddy, a group of Naxalites including Bayyaram area commander Ashok, were on their way to Thativarivempalli village under Kothaguda mandal to hold a meeting with the villagers regarding panchayat elections.

On receiving a tip-off, the police accompanied by a CRPF special party cordoned off the area. The Maoists who noticed the arrival of police started feeling. However, the police managed to get hold of three Moists after a chase. 

Pavan Kalyan, who joined the Suryam faction in 2016, started to lead a normal life after spending a couple of years with the banned outfit. Recently, he joined Ashok’s faction motivated by Vasam Venkanna, a former Mandal Parishad Territorial Constituency (MPTC) member. 

Venkanna worked as the courier to Suryam faction during 2012 had contested as the MPTC and won with the support of Ashok’s faction. Jakkula Sammaiah, who previously worked as the commander of Pakhal-Kothaguda has been working as the courier to Ashok’s faction since he was released from the jail in 2017. The police seized one Springfield rifle and 48 rounds from the accused.