Four Maoists killed in mysterious explosion

Four Maoists killed in mysterious explosion

Staff Reporter

Extremists' bid to assemble landmine ends in tragedy at Warangal village

HARD BLOW: The hut in which Maoists took shelter in tatters under the impact of the blast in Bhupalpalli area in Warangal on Thursday. - Photo: M. murali



BHUPALPALLI: Four Maoists were killed when some explosive material went off in the wee hours of Thursday at Amudalapalli village abutting the forest here.

The Maoists were reportedly trying to assemble a landmine using slurry, salt, iron wires and other material when the mishap occurred. The police who rushed to the spot could identify one of the dead as Pothuraju Rayakomru alias Ramakanth (25), Maoist party Chityala local organising squad commander. He belonged to Pochampalli village of Regonda mandal. The others three are yet to be identified.

The police found three weapons-- one 9mm carbine, one 30 carbine and one 8 mm rifle-- three damaged kitbags and a notebook.

The explosion, according villagers, was between 2 and 3 a.m. The scene presented a gory picture with parts of bodies of the Maoists strewn all over from 70 to 100 metres from the spot. Due to the impact of the landmine blast, the bodies were dismembered killing them instantaneously. The thatched house in which they were taking shelter collapsed. The blast left a deep gorge in the centre of the hut.

A majority of the villagers did not dare to witness the scene as they appeared too terrified. Several of them locked their houses and left the habitation for fear of harassment both from the police and the Maoists later.

A few villagers who were left out in the village said that they heard a loud sound late in the night and knew nothing more than that. They said they did not know as to how it all happened.

The collapsed house belonged to one Godari Vadanaiah, who is absconding since the blast. His son Shekhar is also at large.

Big sound

According to the police, head constable Yakub Ali was patrolling the Bhupalpalli town and the surrounding areas along with CRPF personnel and he suddenly heard a big sound. He informed the Circle Inspector Shobhan Kumar who tried to contact the sarpanches of surrounding villages. After coming to know that it was heard from the Amudalapalli village, he left for the spot.

Superintendent of Police Soumya Mishra, who visited the spot along with senior officials, said the Maoists dug their own grave.

http://www.hindu.com/2006/10/20/stories/2006102010190100.htm