Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Questions Maoist's Death in Mandla, Calls for Investigation
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Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh Congress President Jitu Patwari has raised concerns over the killing of a Maoist in Mandla, claiming he was innocent and demanding a thorough investigation into the incident amidst allegations of a fake encounter by the police.
Key Takeaways
- Jitu Patwari questions police's claims about the Maoist's identity.
- Heeran Singh's family insists on his innocence.
- Calls for a high-level inquiry into the incident.
- Tribal communities express outrage over the encounter.
- Chief Minister supports police efforts against Maoism.
Mandla, March 15 (NationPress) The President of Madhya Pradesh Congress, Jitu Patwari, expressed doubts on Saturday regarding the killing of a Maoist by the state Police's Hawk Force during an encounter in Mandla district, labeling the incident as a fake encounter and asserting that the individual was actually an innocent tribal.
In an official statement, the Congress leader remarked that the Hawk Force of Madhya Pradesh Police recently fatally shot a tribal individual, later identified as Heeran Singh.
However, there has been a recent development in this anti-Maoist encounter, Patwari noted.
The police have identified the deceased as Heeran Singh, a local from Khatiya Narangi village in Mandla district. The family of the deceased insists that Heeran Singh was innocent and that he was unjustly killed by the police. Tribals from his community and surrounding regions are distressed over what they perceive as a fake encounter, Patwari stated.
He urged the state government to launch a high-level inquiry into the incident.
The state government must take this matter seriously and initiate an independent investigation. The concerns raised by Heeran Singh's family should also be included in the inquiry, Patwari emphasized.
As of now, neither the Madhya Pradesh government nor the police have issued an official response to the allegations made by opposition parties in the state.
On March 9, the Madhya Pradesh Police reported that a Maoist was killed during an encounter in the Katiyar Morcha forest area within the Kanha National Park, and two of his associates, who were allegedly supplying food to them, were arrested afterward.
Mandla's Superintendent of Police, Rajat Saklecha, informed the media that around 20 Maoists were involved in the gunfire exchange.
The police mentioned that based on information from an informant, the Hawk Force team conducted a search operation in the jungle, resulting in an exchange of fire with approximately 20 Maoists.
Following the event, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav commended the Madhya Pradesh Police for their relentless efforts against Maoists in the state, asserting that Naxalism (Maoism) will be eradicated from Madhya Pradesh by 2026.
