Incidentally, the Andhra police have prepared CDs showing a typical Naxal attack and each police station has been sent copies. In one instance, the CD shows a graphic representation of Naxals coming in a tractor, stopping at a temple adjacent to a police station, walking in to offer prayers and then running away seconds before the tractor explodes destroying the police station.

Equipped with modern weapons and gadgets, Neelwai is, of late, on extra high alert. “Andhra had held talks with Naxals in 2005 when they had started crossing over to Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh. Until December 2007, they were out. Now they are under pressure from the original cadres in those states to return to their parent state and do some action in their own areas. We have information that they have started movements in border areas and are planning major action,” says Adilabad Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar.

Despite excellent security drills and facilities, however, Neelwai has its weaknesses too. One, the absence of a proper compound wall. “Currently, we have barbed wire fencing with wooden pillars and now we are constructing one with iron pillars. But ideally, we should have one with a short brick-wall with iron pillars wound with barbed wires mounted on it,” says Ramesh.

But for one problem, he has no explanation. Against the sanctioned posts of 30 constables from the regular AP police, Neelwai has only 17. And of them, not more than seven are present on any given day. Two are constantly on court assignments, six on deputation at the Greyhounds commando station in Bellampalli 55 km away, one is on deputation to the parent Chennur police station and two are on long leave. The only reassuring factor is the presence of 24 CRPF men. “We can repulse attack even by 500 men,” says Mulchand Shekhawat, Inspector in-charge of three CRPF companies in the area, including the one here.

... contd.