The police raid on Naxal training camp has prompted Gandhian leaders once again to lobby for safe return of Maoist Sabyasachi Panda into the mainstream. On Thursday, two leaders Bhabani Charan Patnaik and Radhamohan called upon the State Government to shun the hunt for Panda and take lead for peace process.
There is no point celebrating the killing of five persons as it is an inhuman act, the Gandhian leaders said and urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Chief Secretary BK Patnaik to initiate the process. After the abduction of Italian tourists earlier this year, when the negotiation took place between the Government and the Maoists, both sides had agreed to shun violent methods. The encounter at Bhaliapada is a breach of the agreement and handiwork of vested interests, the leaders said.
Meanwhile, Panda’s wife Subhashree Panda has threatened to sit on dharna in front of Naveen Nivas if the Government did not go in for a peaceful solution to the issue. “Immediate efforts should be taken to bring Panda back into mainstream or else I will have to resort to agitation in front of the Chief Minister’s residence,’ she told this paper.
Panda’s return to mainstream, Subhashree said, will come as a major boost for the State since it will usher in peace in the districts where he operates. This would also encourage leaders like Nachika Linga to return to the fold of the society.
The Gandhian leaders along with Subhashree will meet Director General of Police Prakash Mishra on Friday and take up the matter. According to Subhashree, the Wednesday’s encounter was the result of a rift within the State Police. While one faction wants that Panda be encouraged to give up arms, the other wants to play the spoilsport.
She also alleged that the encounter was fake and the deceased were not Maoist cadres but innocent villagers who were gunned down by the cops.