Naxals claim responsibility; says killed TDP leaders as they became mining mafia, ignored tribals' interest

Amaravati: Days after two Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders were killed in Andhra Pradesh, the Naxals on Friday claimed the responsibility of the murders. In a letter, they said, "We killed Kidari and Siveri as they turned into mining mafia by ignoring interests of tribals and paid no attention to the development of tribal pockets after being elected."

"Both Kidari and Siveri looted natural and forest resources in spite of several warnings. They also turned into brokers for aluminium companies," they added in the letter.

Two TDP leaders from Araku were shot dead by Naxals on September 23. K Sarveswara Rao, 45, TDP MLA from Araku (Reserved-Scheduled Tribe) and his party colleague and former MLA Siveri Soma, 52, were attacked near Thutangi village, about 125 km from the coastal city of Visakhapatnam.

The incident took place while they were returning from a programme at a village in Araku, a tribal area.

The TDP leaders were intercepted by a large group of armed Maoists, including women, while they were returning in two vehicles.

After ordering others to leave, they began talking to the MLA and the former MLA about the mining in agency areas. They later pumped bullets into the two leaders, killing them on the spot. Both were shot in the head and chest. 

(With inputs from agencies)