HYDERABAD: Terming the encounter in Odisha ‘genocide’, revolutionary writer Varavara Rao and Telangana Democratic Front (TDF) leader Prof Haragopal on Monday demanded that a probe by a sitting judge be ordered to bring out the actual facts.
“These killings should be treated as state-sponsored murders as police have brutally gunned down the Maoists, who were holding a meeting at the spot. Cases should be booked against AP DGP N Sambasiva Rao and others under Section 302 of the IPC for resorting to this inhuman act,” Varavara Rao demanded.
Earlier, soon after the news broke about the encounter, civil rights activists including Varavara Rao condemned the encounter calling it fake. He said the AP Police had specific information on the meeting convened by Maoists in Malkangiri district of Odisha. “After reaching the spot, the cops opened fire on the Maoist leaders indiscriminately. Police killed the Maoists and are painting it as an encounter. After bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, not a single incident of Maoist attack has taken place so far in both the Telugu-speaking States. Why did the police commit this brutal crime?” the poet questioned.
According to him, precious natural resources are being looted in North Andhra, particularly in Visakhapatnam agency, by capitalists with the help of the government. Vast tracts of land are being illegally mined by contractors, he allged. “Local tribals have been questioning the AP government over the way in which it is allocating the precious natural resources to private persons in Visakha agency. There is also severe opposition to the State government’s plans to construct the Polavaram Irrigation Project, which will leave the tribals in the lurch. Hence, young men driven by ideals are standing by these innocent tribals. That is the reason, why the Maoists are being killed in fake encounters,” he alleged.
Varavara Rao also demanded that the government shift the bodies to the King George Hospital for examining and registering murder cases against the police involved. Prof Haragopal alleged that the encounter had taken place at the behest of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. “The encounter is the best example of Chandrababu Naidu’s autocratic rule in the state. The government must produce the bodies before the media and conduct the postmortem to reveal the facts,” he demanded.