VISAKHAPATNAM: A tense atmosphere prevailed in the Vizag Agency in the wake of the BSNL Cell Tower at Darakonda area under GK Veedhi mandal being set on fire by the Maoists. The intelligence department has alerted the authorities in all the Maoist-affected area in the region and have asked them to be extra- vigilant.

Meanwhile the police have intensified combing of the locality and have deployed a large number of forces in the agency areas as a precautionary measure. Sources in the intelligence wing said that they are suspecting of possible Maoist attacks on the political leaders. Initially, when the fire broke out, the cops suspected that the red-rebels had blasted the BSNL tower but later came to the conclusion that the rebels had set fire in the equipment room and the generator at the tower site. The tower was safe but the generator and the equipment room had been gutted and the loss is estimated to be close to Rs 30 lakh.

Vizag rural police chief, Rahul Dev Sharma, said that the red-rebels led by Korukonda area commander Naveen and Krishna of Galikonda had burnt the BSNL equipment on Wednesday night. Most of the cadres who participated in the raid were Guthi Koyas from Chhattisgarh. Sources said that the Maoists have left some letters at the spot warning the local newsmen and stating that that they are supporting the police. The rebels also warned BJP leader Lodugula Gandhi, TDP leader K Manikumarai and few others and asked them to disclose their stand on the bauxite mining immediately.

A senior police officer said that the Maoists have been involved in the violent incident in an exercise to show their presence and power, a day after the top cops of four states met at Vizianagaram. The official added that it was likely that the rebels may indulge in more violent activities in the coming days to mark the first anniversary of the Ramgarh exchange of fire.

It could also be a bait for the security forces. It may be recalled that on October 24, 2016, the security forces had gunned down 30 Maoists in an exchange of fire in the cut-off area of AOB. Since then, the ultras have been enticing the security forces in Vizag. Agency and Andhra Odisha Border to come chase them and it could be bait for an ambush.