A day after top Maoist commander Madvi Hidma was killed, Andhra Pradesh witnessed another violent encounter in the forests of Maredumilli in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district on Wednesday, November 19, resulting in the deaths of seven Maoists, including three women, police said. The operation was described as a continuation of Tuesday’s offensive against the Maoist network in the region.
Among the deceased, one has been identified as Meturi Jokha Rao, also known as ‘Tech’ Shankar, a native of Srikakulam. Shankar reportedly served as an Area Committee Member (ACM) for the Andhra–Odisha Border region and was involved in technical operations, arms manufacturing, and communication within the Maoist cadre. Identity verification for the remaining deceased is still ongoing.
AP Intelligence ADG Mahesh Chandra Laddha said the action followed intelligence gathered after Hidma’s killing and has already led to the arrest of 50 Maoists across NTR, Krishna, Kakinada, Konaseema, and Eluru districts—the largest such crackdown in the state’s history. Security forces also seized 45 weapons, 272 rounds of ammunition, two magazines, 750 grams of wire, and other materials, highlighting a sustained effort to dismantle Maoist operations in the region.
