Deputy collector who visited Naxal area not traceable

Police said Kanphade had sought police protection for visiting Binagonda which the police denied him in view of sensitive area and shortage of security men.Kanphade left yesterday afternoon for Binagonda in his jeep along with eight others including revenue staff and driver.

His jeep was found abandoned about 16 km from Binagonda since there is no approachable road beyond that. The entire area is hilly and can be reached only by foot.

On receiving information that Kanphade had gone without security forces, police reached the spot where his jeep was found. But since morning there is no word from anywhere and the area is too remote to have a communication system exists.

District Collector Atul Patne told PTI that Kanphade had gone to Binagonda to inspect Ashram School and inaccessible area and lack of proper roads.He might have reached late in the evening and stayed back there, the collector said.

Another revenue staff was sent this morning and the administration is expecting information from them by tonight, Patne added.