Saturday, April 9 2005 12:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Hyderabad: Tension gripped naxalite-infested Nallamala forest range in Andhra Pradesh yesterday (Apr 8, 2005) amidst reports of 'massive combing operation' by police to corner maoist leaders holed up in the region but police termed it as a 'routine patrolling'.

Naxalite emissary and revolutionary writer Varavara Rao told reporters that there was panic over reports of combing operation and accused the Government of planning to "eliminate top maoist leaders and crush the revolutionary movement".

"After failing to address the issues raised by maoist leaders (during the first round of direct talks in October last year), the Government is resorting to unfair means," he added.

However, Superintendent of Police K Malla Reddy, Kurnool district said, "There is nothing new in such operations. We have only stepped up patrolling in the region." Nallamala forest range, considered one of the hunting grounds of extremists, covers Kurnool, Mahaboobnagar and Prakasam districts.

Meanwhile, the state Communist Party of India (CPI-Maoist) Secretary K Ramakrishna alleged that the Congress Government was planning to foist false cases against naxalite emissaries Varavara Rao, Gadar and Kalyana Rao.

Accusing the Government of resorting to 'fascist policies' in suppressing revolutionary movement, he called upon people to overthrow the regime through mass movement.