Security beefed up at PR Minister’s residence

Visakhapatnam: Security beefed up at the residence of Panchayat Raj Minister Ayyana Patrudu at Narsipatnam on Wednesday in view of exchange of fire between Maoists and Greyhounds at Puttakota forest area in Visakha Agency on Sunday.

A high level team of Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Security, along with the local police, which reached Narsipatnam on Tuesday night, has examined the security arrangements. The team held discussions with Vice-Chairman of Narsipatnam Municipality Ch Sanyasi Patrudu, who is the brother of Minister for Panchayat Raj, and gave directions to be followed.

The team suggested to the Minister to install CCTV cameras at four important locations at the residence and raising the height of the compound wall. It is learnt that the strength of the security personnel is also being increased in view of Maoist threat. The government has given bullet-proof vehicle to the Minister soon after the issuance of the GO on bauxite mining.

The intelligence officials cautioned the Minister to shun visits to interior Agency areas or Narsipatnam without prior information to them. When the Minister told the AP Intelligence officials if he keeps himself indoors without going to his constituency, he may lose the party cadres, therefore the officials relaxed rules to some extent. Two Maoists, who were killed in the exchange of fire, were identified as armed militia members, who were guarding the entire training camp being organised since February 21, according to Narsipatnam Officer on Special Duty Attada Babuji.

He said the bodies were preserved at the Narsipatnam government hospital mortuary and awaiting for their family members. He also informed that two SBBL rifles, kit bags, blast material, Rs 3,600 and small change were found near the bodies.