Maoists struck on Sunday morning in the agency (eastern ghats) area of Visakhapatnam district, killing the MLA of Araku Assembly constituency and also the ex-MLA.

According to police sources, the incident happened in the vicinity of Tottangi village in the Dumbriguda mandal of Araku constituency when a group of 50-60 Maoists attacked and killed MLA K. Sarveswara Rao, and former MLA S. Soma, on the spot. Both were Girijans.

Sarveswara Rao was elected to the AP Assembly for the first time in 2014 on YSR Congress ticket. Later, he switched over to the ruling Telugu Desam Party and he was made the Government whip in the Assembly. The former MLA, Soma, was with the MLA when the incident took place. It is learnt that in the past the MLA had received several threats from the Maoists on the Andhra-Orissa border.

According to sources, Maoists had prolonged discussions with the MLA before opening fire. It is learnt that they were unhappy with the MLA and ex-MLA for supporting quarrying in the agency area, which they felt would be detrimental to the interests of Girijans besides harming environment.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, on a trip to the USA, condemned the action of the Maoists and said there was no place for violence in a democracy. He lauded the efforts of the MLA and former MLA, praising their services to the cause of Girijan welfare, and sent condolence messages to the bereaved families.

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