Ashok Chakra for ANdhra Cop killed by Maoists

Slain Greyhounds inspector K L V S S N V Prasad Babu was posthumously awarded Ashok Chakra, the highest peacetime gallantry award of the country, on the occasion of 65th Republic Day today in New Delhi. The award was received by Prasad Babu's father Karanam Venkatramana Naidu from President Pranab Mukherjee before the commencement of the Republic Day Parade. "We are proud to be part of AP police after the Government India awarded prestigious award of Ashok Chakra to Prasad Babu for his outstanding service to the police and people. Prasad had done great work with commitment that was recognised by the Indian Government. Police should take inspiration from him and work hard,’ Director General of Police (DGP) B Prasada Rao told Express.  Meanwhile, the villagers of Marturu, native place of Prasad Babu in Visakhapatnam district celebrated the occasion exchanging sweetmeat after his father K Venkatramana Naidu received the award from President Pranab Mukherjee. Many youngsters and students took oath administered by local police that they would be ready to join police department and serve people taking an inspiration slain Reserved Inspector, Greyhounds Prasad Babu. Fighting tears, Karanam Chaitanya, Prasad Babu's sister, told Express that when he fought with extremists and was gunned down by Maoists, we thought he was great son of my family. The Indian Government made my brother as a great son of the Nation by awarding Ashok Chakra recognising his service to the people and police department. She recalled her memories with Prasad Babu who used to encourage youngsters in the village to study well and motivated many parents to send their children to schools. He used to read books related Swamy Vivekananda and inspired towards serving people. "It was unfortunate that that Prasad Babu died fighitng the naxaliteseat. He was a committed police officer and he made us very proud receiving such prestigious award. We direct all police officers to take inspiration from him and move forward in enforcing law and order perfectly’ added Additional DGP VSK Kaumudi. Prasad Babu played a key role in killing nine Maoists and injuring several others. On April 16 last year, about 70 Maoists carried out IED blasts near Andhra-Chhattisgarh border and fired indiscriminately on the Greyhounds unit led by Prasad Babu. He and  and his unit charged towards the Maoists, killing nine of them. The next day, the commandos were being evacuated by helicopters. When 19 commandos were to be picked up for the last sortie of evacuation, about 60-70 Maoists attacked the helicopter. While 14 commandos boarded the helicopter, 4 commandos along with Babu began retaliatory firing. After the helicopter left, the Maoists began encircling the commandos. Prasad Babu then urged the 4 other commandos to retreat to a direction while holding the nearly 200 Maoists single-handedly until the others reached a safe spot. He died in the process. Prasad Babu was a native of Marturu village in Visakhapatnam district. He joined police department as a sub-inspector in 2004 and was subsequently promoted as an inspector. His father Karanam Venkataramaiah is a retired SI of the Fifth Battalion of Vizianagaram. "Prasad Babu was a role model for many youngsters in the area. We knew about his soldierly deeds. He used to visit the village for Sankranti and we had a good time playing volleyball at the Bojjannakonda festival. The Local MRO has given permission and the police department will erect a statue of Prasad Babu in Martur village shortly. Police staff, villagers would organise reception to Prasad Babu’s parents Venkat Ramana and Satyawathi who received award from Pranab Mukherjee,’ said Inspector G Srinivas, Anakapalli Rural, Visakhapatnam district. 

By Moule Mareedu

moulimareedu@gmail.com