Security forces in Andhra Pradesh, including its anti-terrorist unit called the Organisation for Counter Terrorist Operations or Octopus, have arrested 31 suspected Maoists and their sympathisers in Vijayawada, Krishna and NTR districts following the morning encounter of six Maoists , including top commander Madvi Hidma.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Mahesh Chandra Laddha said that of the 31 persons arrested, nine are former personal security guards of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist) General Secretary Thippiri Tirupathi alias Devuji.

“The rest belong to various Maoist battalions of South Bastar. Under pressure in Chhattisgarh, they have sneaked into Andhra Pradesh and are in hiding. We have been receiving inputs for several days and are tracking them. Toda

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