Director-General of Police (DGP) N. Sambasiva Rao has said Maoists are strong in some areas on the State’s border, but asserts that extremism is under control.
Addressing the media here on Saturday, he said the police were effectively dealing with the Maoists.
“Naxal activities have come down in the State and on its borders,” Mr. Sambasiva Rao said.
Appeal to Naxals
“Maoists should tell what they want from the government. We appeal to them to shun violence and join the mainstream. The police have been doing a commendable job in combating Naxalism. Seventeen Naxal-related incidents were reported on the State’s borders last year. The number was much bigger earlier,” Mr. Rao said.
In the literature seized by the police, the Maoists admitted that they suffered severe blows and were losing ground.
“Naxalites are facing the consequences of their anti-people activities,” he said.
Referring to the efforts to check ganja cultivation and smuggling, Mr. Rao said Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu set a deadline to put an end to the menace.
“Ganja is being cultivated in about 11 mandals in Visakhapatnam district and Andhra-Odisha Border (AOB), and two mandals in East Godavari district. The police and excise officials are destroying the plantations. We will put an end to ganja smuggling soon,” he said. Police Commissioner D. Gautam Sawang and Additional DGs A.B. Venkateswara Rao, Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, and N.V. Surendra Babu were present.