Visakhapatnam: Maoist activities in Visakhapatnam district, particularly in the agency area, came down in 2014 as compared to the last five years, due to efforts by the police, a top police official said here on Monday.

Addressing reporters, Superintendent of Police Koya Praveen said that a total of 14 cases were reported during 2014 as compared to 49 cases in 2010 and 20 cases last year.

However, no exchanges of fire were reported this year, whereas eight cases were reported during 2010 and two cases were reported in 2013. One extremist died in 2014 whereas six extremists died in 2010.

Praveen said that in 2014, a total of 83 people were arrested, including nine extremists, 28 militia members and 46 sympathisers, as against 66 people, including three extremists, 32 militia members and 31 sympathisers last year.

Maoists were found to be involved in three murders, two blasts, one robbery, four extortions and one case of arson in 2014.

Praveen said dalam member Thambelu Deruku and two militia members were arrested for possessing explosive materials at Nurmathi fore area in April this year.

The police arrested three Communist Party of India (Maoist) action team members and seized a country-made revolver at Chintah Veedhi in Hukumpeta mandal in May this year.

The police also arrested Andhra University professor Jarra Apparao as well as three others and seized explosive contraband, electronic detonators and ammonium nitrate at Narsipatnam in November this year, the SP said.