The woman, who was in charge of dreaded Maoist Rama Krishna’s protection team, is dead. The CPI (Maoist)’s Malkangiri Division has acknowledged that Sirisha, originally Maddu Poorna, died during the December 31 late night encounter with security forces at Koraput’s Biriguda village under Boipariguda police limits.
She was carrying a cash award of Rs 4 lakh on her head as announced by the Odisha Government.
Sirisha’s body was taken away by the Maoists following the encounter and the security personnel were in dark about the status of casualties. However, a statement issued by Malkangiri unit’s secretary Poonam Chandra has brought to fore the fact about her death.
A resident of Akupalli in Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, she had joined the CPI (Maoist) in 2000. After years as a cadre, she rose through the ranks and was nominated as an area committee member before being drafted into the protection team of Rama Krishna, secretary of Andhra Odisha Border Special Zonal Committee of CPI (Maoist), also known as RK.
“The protection team had eight members but Sirisha was the leader of the unit, such was her effectiveness and ability,” said sources in the Intelligence Wing of the State Police. Her knowledge of computers prompted the leaders to use her skills for preparing campaign and propaganda materials. She also edited a magazine for them.
In fact, she received the inspiration to join the outlawed outfit from her mother who was also a member and died in an encounter in 1998.
After losing Sirisha which was serious blow to the outfit, the CPI (Maoist) went berserk and has killed at least six persons in last one week in Malkangiri and Koraput districts.
On Saturday itself, two villagers were killed in Bandhugam area. At least seven villagers too have been abducted ever since.
Acting on an intelligence input, the security forces had raided Biriguda village where about 100 Maoists were holed up on December 31. An exchange of fire ensued and the Maoists retreated having suffered injuries. RK was also there in the village.
