Four ex-Naxals taken into custody as Maoist couple killed in Andhra

Four former Naxals, who surrendered before the police a decade ago, were taken into custody last night at Gudupadu Cheruvu village, once an extremists' stronghold, in Guntur district, while they were attending a wedding.

They are identified as S Gangaiah, 50, BC Bandayya, 45, B Anjaiah, 40, and M Mallaiah, 40.

The Macherala police swooped on the marriage ceremony and whisked them away, it is learnt. The police refused to comment. The information is neither confirmed nor denied. The whereabouts of the four is not known.

The villagers have protested against the police action. They say that it is true their village (Gudupadu Cheruvu) was once a focal point of Naxal activity, but later they disassociated themselves from the Maoists violence and leading peaceful life.

The police custody of the four has assumed significance as a prominent Maoist leader and his spouse were killed in an encounter today in the neighbouring Prakasam district.