Maoists kidnap three TDP leaders in Andhra

Visakhapatnam, Oct 6 Maoists on Tuesday kidnapped three TDP leaders in Visakhapatnam district in Andhra Pradesh.

The leaders of the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) were abducted in a tribal belt in north coastal Andhra, police said.

They include TDP mandal president M. Balaiah, district executive committee member M. Mahesh and V. Balaiah.

The Communist Party of India-Maoist sent a letter to locals saying the kidnapping were in protest against bauxite mining in the agency area.

The Maoists oppose mining in the region.

The Maoist outfit has called for a week-long shutdown in Andhra-Odisha border area from October 7.