One civilian killed in landmine blast

Mulugu: An Adivasi was killed when a pressure landmine, suspected to have been planted by CPI-Maoists, went off at a forest location near Nuguru village under Venkatapuram mandal on Monday early hours.

According to reports, the incident occurred when four tribals of Mukunurupalem village ventured into forest to collect bamboo.

One of them, Soyam Pentaiah (43), who inadvertently stepped over the pressure IED (improvised explosive device) was killed instantly. Following the incident, the other three Rama Rao, Dulaiah and Laxmaiah ran away from the spot.

Later, they informed about the incident to Venkatapuram police. Meanwhile, it's suspected that the landmine was planted by the banned outfit targeting the security forces combing the region.

It may be mentioned here that CRPF and special battalion forces have been deployed all over the district in view of ongoing Parliament polls.

Despite the deployment of security forces, the CPI-Maoists have put up banners in Wazed and Venkatapuram mandals appealing to people to boycott the Parliament elections.