Tribals killed three Maoists in retaliation to the killing of a villager in the Agency area of Visakhapatnam district on Sunday night.

The Maoists had abducted Sanjeeva Rao, a native of Veeravaram village and spiritual leader Jagganna Dora Simhachalam. They killed Sanjeeva Rao, after branding him as a police informer, near Balapam village. As the news of Sanjeeva Rao’s killing spread, about 300 villagers reached the spot. They surrounded the Maoists and questioned them for the killing. The villagers also demanded the release of Simhachalam. Surprised at the reaction, the Maoists pointed their weapons against the villagers and asked them to proceed to Korukonda village, where they intended to organise a ‘praja court’ and execute Simhachalam. At this juncture, the crowd, apprehending more killings, pounced on the Maoists and snatched their weapons. In the melee, three Maoists were stoned to death.

The police recovered the AK -47 rifle of Sharat that was snatched by the Girijans in a damaged condition.

Staff Reporter from Vijayawada reports: Director General of Police (DGP) J.V. Ramudu told mediapersons that the police were in no way involved in the incident and they reached the spot on receipt morning on receipt of information.

Sanjeeva Rao, who joined in the mainstream, was not named in any incident since 2001. Last night, a group of Maoists cordoned Mr. Rao and another local, Simhachalam, and tried to abduct them branding them as police informers. The Maoist whose body was reportedly washed away in the stream was yet to be identified, said Mr. Ramudu.