Bandh to protest killing of Araku Valley MLA, former legislator

A bandh was being observed in the Agency area here Monday to protest against the killing of TDP MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and a former legislator even as police teams intensified combing operations to trace the outlawed Maoists.

The sitting MLA Sarveswara Rao and former legislator of ruling Telugu Desam Party Siveri Soma were gunned down by the outlawed CPI (Maoists) Sunday in the Araku area.

The government placed Dumbriguda police Sub-Inspector Y Ammana Rao under suspension for "negligence of duties" in connection with Sunday's Maoist attack.

Post-mortem was completed in Araku in the morning and the bodies were handed over to their families.

Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa visited Araku to pay homage to the slain TDP leaders.

The state Road Transport Corporation suspended its bus services to Araku and Paderu Agency areas as a precautionary measure.

The situation is under control now after the violent incidents Sunday evening in the aftermath of the killings, Additional Director General of Police (Law & Order) Harish Gupta said after visiting the area.

The gunning down of Sarveswara Rao and his predecessor Soma, both Scheduled Tribes, in Lippitiputta village triggered violence with their irate relatives and local tribals attacking two police stations, blaming the police for "failure" to ensure protection to the two leaders.