Threat letters in Maoist name sent to four AP Ministers

Andhra Pradesh is on alert after four state ministers reportedly received threatening letters allegedly sent in the name of the banned Maoist party. The letters were addressed to Ministers Satyakumar, Anagani Satya Prasad, Kollu Ravindra and Kandula Durgesh, triggering concern across political and administrative circles.

The timing has heightened tensions, as the threats surfaced during the ongoing state Assembly session, raising serious concerns about the safety of public representatives. Among the cases, the letter received by Tourism and Culture Minister Kandula Durgesh has caused particular alarm. The communication was delivered directly to his office inside the heavily secured Andhra Pradesh Secretariat in Amaravati.

According to sources, the letter, purportedly issued in the name of the Maoist organisation, contained serious threats to the lives of Durgesh and his family members, warning of dire consequences. Shocked by the development, his office staff alerted senior officials and filed a complaint at the Thulluru Police Station.

Police have registered a case and launched a comprehensive investigation to verify the authenticity of the letters. Investigators are examining whether the threats originated from Maoist groups or if miscreants or political rivals used the Maoist name to create panic. Officials are reviewing postal records, tracing the origin of the letters and analysing how they reached the Secretariat. CCTV footage from the premises and nearby areas is being examined, while forensic experts are analysing handwriting, fingerprints and other evidence. Security arrangements for Durgesh are likely to be strengthened, with additional police protection expected.

Reacting to the incident, Durgesh dismissed Maoist involvement and suggested a deliberate conspiracy. He said he had done nothing to warrant such threats and believed unknown elements had misused the Maoist name to intimidate him. He admitted the letter had worried his family but expressed confidence that the investigation would uncover the truth.