Rights groups allege custodial killings after seven Maoist leaders killed in C'garh 'encounter'
Bijapur: Seven senior Maoist leaders were killed over three days in what the police claim were encounters with security forces in the Indravati National Park between June 5 and 7. However, civil rights groups have alleged that the deaths were the result of custodial torture and fake encounters following the illegal detention of 10 Maoists from Parshagarh village.
According to the Civil Liberties Committee (CLC) of Telangana, the police picked up 10 Maoists from the national park and killed seven of them after subjecting them to brutal torture. The CLC alleged that one Maoist was killed on June 5, four on June 6, and two on June 7. The remaining three are reportedly still in police custody.
Police have so far confirmed the deaths of only two individuals: Tentu Laxmi Narasimha Chalam alias Sudhakar, a CPI (Maoist) central committee member, and Mylarapu Adelu alias Bhaskar, a Telangana state committee member. Rights groups have named the others allegedly killed, including Telangana committee member Bandi Prakash and Dandakaranya zonal committee member Papa Rao.
The police version differs significantly. Bijapur SP Jitendra Kumar claimed the operation was based on specific intelligence about Maoist leaders gathered in the forest. He stated that Sudhakar was killed in an exchange of fire on June 5 and that an AK-47 rifle was recovered from the scene. Additional fatalities reportedly occurred on June 6 and 7. The SP denied the allegations made by rights organisations, calling them "false propaganda."
Civil rights activists raised questions about the absence of other bodies near Sudhakar’s, despite him being a top leader usually accompanied by armed guards. They also pointed out he was found in civilian clothes, not the usual military fatigues. They urged the National Human Rights Commission and the Supreme Court to take suo motu cognisance of the alleged extrajudicial killings.
The Coordination Committee for Peace, which includes noted mediator G. Haragopal, described the incident as a “constitutional crisis” and called for urgent court intervention to prevent further erosion of democratic values. Haragopal had previously mediated with Maoists in high-profile hostage situations.
Bhaskar, who was also killed, was a registered medical practitioner before joining the Maoist movement in 1995. Both he and Sudhakar had long underground histories in the party.
The Committee for Release of Political Prisoners and the Indian Association of People’s Lawyers have demanded a second post-mortem of the bodies, alleging that the two were killed in cold blood.
The Civil Liberties Committee claims that over 550 Maoists have been killed since January 2024 as part of the Union government’s ‘Operation Kagar’, which they argue is being used to suppress tribal resistance and hand over mineral-rich lands to corporations.
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Swabhiman Parv: PM Modi leads Shaurya Yatra, offers prayers at Somnath temple
Somnath (Gujarat) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday led 'Shaurya Yatra', a ceremonial procession organised to honour those who laid down their lives defending the Somnath temple in Gujarat's Gir Somnath district.
He also offered prayers at the historic temple and paid tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose statue has been installed near the temple premises.
The 'Shaurya Yatra', being organised as part of the Somnath Swabhiman Parv, featured a procession of 108 horses, reflecting valour and sacrifice.
A large number of people and devotees gathered on both sides of the yatra route from Shankh Circle to Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle to greet the prime minister.
Standing on a specially designed vehicle, PM Modi, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, waved at the crowd during the one-km-long yatra.
A group of young priests, or 'rushi kumars', walked along Modi's vehicle playing 'damru', an instrument of Lord Shiva. At one point, Modi himself borrowed two damrus from a priest and played them while standing on his vehicle.
Artists from across the country, including Jammu and Kashmir, performed their traditional dances on stages erected at regular intervals along the route.
The yatra culminated at 'Veer Hamirji Gohil Circle', from where the path to the famous temple begins.
At the circle, Modi offered floral tributes at the statue of Hamirji Gohil, who had sacrificed his life defending the Somnath temple against the incursion of the Delhi Sultanate's army in 1299 AD.
Later, Modi paid floral tributes to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, whose statue has been installed near the entrance of the temple premises. Thanks to Patel's intervention, Somnath temple underwent restoration after Independence and it was formally opened to devotees in 1951.
PM Modi also offered prayers at the Somnath temple. He sat for a puja at the temple amid vedic chants by the chief priest.
The prime minister will later address people at a public function marking the Somnath Swabhiman Parv.
The event is being held to remember the countless citizens of India who have made sacrifices to defend the Somnath temple, which continues to inspire the cultural consciousness of future generations.
The programme marks 1,000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's invasion of the Somnath temple in the year 1026.
Despite multiple repeated attempts for its destruction over centuries, the Somnath temple stands tall today as a powerful symbol of resilience, faith and national pride, owing to the collective resolve and efforts to restore it to its ancient glory, the PIB said in a statement.
