VISAKHAPATNAM: Maoists have been creating menace in the Andhra Odisha Border areas since setting up base in the forests of the region 38 years ago.VISAKHAPATNAMhough they have faced severe jolts in the recent past, they have managed to spring shock and awe with swift and coordinated attacks every now and then, like the one on Sunday morning. With their deadly attack on the sitting MLA (K Sarveswara Rao) and former MLA (Sivari Soma) of Araku, both of whom were gunned down in broad daylight and in the presence of hundreds of people, they have once again showed that they still hold a presence in the AOB.Maoist country in East Division comprises of East Godavari, Visakha agency and south Odisha districts. Continuous police and security checks are a regular feature in the area.After a brief calm, an ambush at Balimela saw 37 Greyhound commandos and other security personnel meet a watery grave in the river. The attack shook the country, and thereafter security forces started slowly gaining the upper hand. “After the Balimela ambush, cops were scared to enter the forests. But the Maoists failed to cash in on the opportunity and indulged in violent activities against tribals, branding them as police moles. This created a gap between the tribals and Maoists.” a former Maoist said.

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