Almost 40 days after Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and former MLA from the same constituency Siveri Soma, were killed by suspected members of the CPI (Maoist), the Maoists reportedly owned up the act through a letter that surfaced here on Friday. This is for the first time after the killing that they (Maoists) have come out with a statement directly claiming responsibility.

In an earlier letter that was released about three weeks ago, written by AOBSZC Secretary Gopi, the Maoists spoke in general about the involvement of the leaders in illegal mining.

In Friday’s letter written by Jagadbandhu, spokesperson of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee (AOBSZC), the Maoists reportedly claimed that both the TDP leaders were killed as they turned into mining mafia, and never bothered about the welfare of the tribal people, after being elected as public representatives.

The Maoists alleged that both Kidari Sarveswara Rao and Siveri Soma were looting the natural and forest resources, and despite several warnings they continued to do so with arrogance and turned into brokers for aluminium companies such as Jindal and ANRAK.

Jagadbandu alleged that Kidari and Siveri had become ‘crorepatis’ in a short span of time after being elected as public representatives.

The Maoists also claimed that Kidari Sarveswara Rao had changed several parties with the sole intention of staying in power to exploit forest resources, which was against the development of the tribal people, and also compromised with the government and MNCs on the bauxite mining issue.

Warning to Ayyanna

The Maoists in the letter also reportedly warned the mining mafia and TDP Minister Ch. Ayyanna Patrudu and his son, Vijay, for supporting mining and quarrying.

They demanded that GO 97, which was meant to facilitate bauxite mining, be revoked.