AP: Maoists damage vehicles, block roads

Maoists in a bid to thwart the 'Operation Green Hunt' launched against them damaged two vehicles including one belonging to the police and created road blockades by cutting down trees in Visakha Agency area of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday, police said.

One vehicle of the state police and a private vehicle were burnt by CPI (Maoist) ultras on Chintalamma and Koyyur ghat road in Koyyur mandal in the early hours of Saturday, Visakhapatnam district Superintendent of Police Vineet Brij Lal, told PTI over phone.

The ultras have also cut down several trees on Koyyur ghat road resulting in road blockades. Vehicular traffic between Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts came to a standstill even as efforts were underway to clear the path.

At some places they also dug out roads and posted banners to protest against the 'Operation Green Hunt' and fled into nearby jungles after the incident.

The Maoists have given a 48-hours bandh call in Malkangiri district and other areas of Orissa bordering Andhra Pradesh in protest against 'Operation Green Hunt' launched against them, sources said.

"Security has been tightened in the area. A search operation has been launched and additional forces are being sent to the area to nab the ultras," the SP said.