Maoists Kill Two Tribals On Suspicion Of Being Police Informers In Telangana's Mulugu

A note left near the bodies alleged that the duo was providing information to the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB), a state police agency engaged in anti-Maoist operations.

Maoists allegedly killed two individuals in Telangana's Mulugu district suspecting them of being police informers. The attack occurred late Thursday night in Penugolu Colony, Wajedu mandal. The victims, identified as Uika Ramesh, the secretary of Peruru Gram Panchayat, and a local resident, Uika Arjun, were attacked with sharp-edged weapons, leading to their death on the spot.

Ramesh and Arjun was reportedly slashed infront of their family members even as they pleaded them.

A note left near the bodies, signed by Shantha, Wajedu-Venkatapuram area secretary of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), alleged that the duo was providing information to the Special Intelligence Bureau (SIB), a state police agency engaged in anti-Maoist operations. The note accused Ramesh of gathering information in rural and forested areas to aid police actions against Maoists. Shantha later released a statement claiming responsibility for the killings.

Later, the bodies were transferred to the Eturunagaram Community Health Center (CHC) mortuary.

The police have deployed special teams to intensify combing operations in the agency areas along the Telangana-Chhattisgarh border. Massive vehicle-checking drives have also been launched across the district. Authorities have issued alerts to potential targets, including politicians, businesspersons, affluent farmers, and revenue officials in the region.

This incident highlights the alleged Maoists' presence in the border regions of Telangana, especially areas adjacent to Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. While left-wing extremism has significantly diminished in Telangana over the past 15 years due to concerted police efforts, such attacks in border areas has raised concerns about security measures.

Maoists, once a dominant force in the region, have been attempting to regain their foothold, particularly in areas with challenging terrain that complicates surveillance and policing. The attack has triggered debates on the adequacy of security protocols in vulnerable regions.