This Article is From Jun 12, 2015

Questions Raised Over Palamu Encounter With Maoists

Questions Raised Over Palamu Encounter With Maoists

12 suspected Naxals were killed in an encounter with police in Jharkhand's Palamu district.

Palamu, Jharkhand:

Controversy is growing over the killing of 12 suspected Maoists on the night of June 8 in Jharkhand's Palamu district.

The security forces have claimed that 12 Maoists were gunned down in an encounter. But questions have been raised on whether there was an encounter or whether the men killed were Maoists. Reports even suggest that five of the deceased were children below the age of 18.

Only seven of the 12 bodies have been identified so far. One of the deceased was found to be a top Maoist Commander in the area, the rest did not have any police records.

The family of the Maoist Commander have claimed the rest of the deceased were relatives, who were not involved in Maoist activities.

The Jamia Teachers' Solidarity Association has questioned why a First Information Report was not filed immediately in the case. It demands that the officers involved in the encounter prove that they fired in self-defence in course of investigation.

The association also alleges that there is police pressure and interference in passing off the dead persons as Maoists.

Jharkhand Police spokesperson and additional director general  SN Pradhan said the process of identification of the other bodies is on.

He also questioned if those killed were innocent, why they were travelling with a top Maoist Commander in a jeep full of arms. The spokesperson also refused to comment on children being killed in the encounter.

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