Maoists gunned down Araku MLA Kideri Sarveswara Rao and former MLA Siveri Soma at Lipittuputtu village of Tottangi Panchayat in Dumbriguda mandal in Visakhapatnam agency on Sunday (23-9-2018).

This incident allegedly took place when the leaders attended the interior tribal village to take part in Gramadarshini programme.

Sarveswara Rao won as the YSR Congress candidate in 2014, but he later defected to the TDP.

According to sources, Maoists have shot both the MLA and former MLA at close range. Soon after receiving information about the incident, teams led by Superintendent of Police (Visakhapatnam Rural) Rahul Dev Sharma rushed to the spot. It is yet to be ascertained by the rural police whether the leaders went to the interior areas with proper police security.

Rural police sources said that team of about 40 to 50 Maoists led by AOB Secretary Ramakrishna took part in attack. Both the leaders allegedly were shots at close range. Sources said that the Maoists spoke to the leaders and then attacked them.

The Maoists reportedly asked the leaders to stop mining in the agency areas which are affecting the livelihood of the tribals. Even as the talks were going on, Maoists pumped bullets into the MLA and the former MLA killing them instantly, reports reaching here said.