K. Sarveswara Rao and S. Soma of TDP were attacked during visit to interior village in Visakhapatnam agency area

Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao of the Telugu Desam party (TDP) and former MLA of the same constituency Siveri Soma, also of the TDP, were shot dead on Sunday morning, allegedly by cadres of the banned CPI (Maoist).

The incident occurred near Livitiput village in Dumbriguda mandal in the agency area of Visakhapatnam district.

TDP MLAs S. Somma (left) and K. Sarveswara Rao. | Photo Credit: Special arrangement

According to sources, both the MLA and the former MLA were travelling in two cars to the village to attend a gram darsini (village meet) organised by the local administration. At around 11 a.m., 15 to 20 Maoists stopped the car, surrounded them, and forced the leaders to get down.

Weapons taken

The weapons from the three PSOs (personal security officers), accompanying the leaders, comprising two 9 mm pistols and one 9 mm carbine, were taken away, even before the security persons could react and open fire.

According to Mr. Soma’s driver, the group was held at gun point by the Maoists, who were in the age group of 25 to 30 years, including a couple of women. The two leaders were taken away a few paces ahead, after their hands were tied. A few minutes later they were shot dead at point blank range.

Kangaroo court held

The Maoists allegedly convened a praja court (kangaroo court) before gunning down the leaders.

Sources in the police said at least three to four bullets were pumped into Mr. Sarveswara Rao and Mr. Soma, and both died immediately.

The incident comes as the CPI (Maoist) cadres were celebrating their formation week (September 21 to 27) in the Araku Valley.