Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu : Araku Valley killing is a blot on democracy

Leaders condemn Maoist attack

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the killing of Araku MLA Kidari Sarveswara Rao and his follower and former MLA Siveri Soma by the Maoists in the Agency area of Visakhapatnam district on Sunday and described the killings as a blot on democracy.

In a statement, Mr Naidu conveyed his condolences to the members of the bereaved families.

He said Rao and Soma had dedicated themselves to the welfare of the tribal people and their killing was unfortunate.

Meaningless: Chinarajappa

In Kakinada, Home Minister N. Chinarajappa expressed shock and said it was the first-of-its-kind incident in the State in the last over four years.

It was quite unexpected and meaningless as the government was committed to the democratic processes and ensuring the welfare of all sections of society, he told the media.

“An inquiry will be conducted into the incident. Security will also be scaled up to all the elected representatives in the Agency area,” he said.

‘Dastardly act’

“Killing of people will not serve any purpose. Such acts are of no help to the poor either,” he observed.

Ministers Yanamala Ramakrishnudu and Nakka Ananda Babu described the killings as a dastardly act.

Mr Rao and Mr Soma had rendered commendable service to the tribal people of Visakhapatnam district, they said.

No room for violence, says Jagan

YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said there was no room for violence and murders in a democracy, and that he was jolted by the incident.

BJP State president Kanna Lakshminarayana said the Maoists intended to make their presence felt. It was an act of cowardice, he added.

BJP MLC P.V.N. Madhav condemned the “dastardly act of the Maoists.”

CPI State secretary K. Ramakrishna said the killings were an attack on democracy. The incident would not have happened had the police discharged their duty properly.