Civil society groups and political leaders strongly condemned what they termed as ‘fake encounters’ of Maoists by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Central government.
At a round table meeting organised to denounce the alleged custodial killings and encounter operations, several prominent leaders participated including Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president Mahesh Kumar Goud; MLA Kunamaneni Sambasiva Rao, MLC Kodandaram, former MLA Julakanti Rangareddy, G. Haragopal, Vimalakka among others.
Is this the endgame for the Maoists?
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Goud criticised the Centre for adopting what he described as an “elimination process” against dissenting voices. “Fake encounters must be condemned unequivocally. Leaders like Hidma, Keshav Rao and Ganapathi dedicated their lives to the cause of the common people,” he said, adding that the Congress opposes violence from both the State and insurgent groups.
Recounting his personal experiences, Mr. Goud said he was himself a victim of Naxalite-related violence. “When anyone speaks about Operation Kagar or raises concerns about state excesses, they are branded anti-national. Those who say they want to return to mainstream life are being targeted vindictively,” he alleged.
