Agnivesh for judicial probe, PC refuses
Social activist Swami Agnivesh, who had termed the killing of top Maoist leader Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad as a “setback to the Naxal peace process, met home minister P. Chidambaram demanding a judicial inquiry into the death of Azad and his associate, killed in an alleged police encounter a few days back. The demand,
however, was turned down by the home minister who said that such a step could only be taken by the Andhra Pradesh government as the encounter took place in Adilabad, Mr Agnivesh told reporters after the meeting.
Mr Agnivesh said had the encounter not taken place, the Maoists led by Azad would have announced a 72-hour ceasefire. Incidentally, Mr Chidambaram had said that the government may offer to hold talks with Naxals if they “suspend” violence even for just 72 hours. Cherukuri Rajkumar alias Azad was gunned down by the Andhra Pradesh police along with another associate Hem Chandra Pandey on July two in a police encounter.
“I was in touch with Azad. His death is a setback to the entire talk and peace process. Had his death not taken place, the Maoists would have announced a 72-hours ceasefire with the government,” Mr Agnivesh said. He maintained that the need of the hour is to continue the peace process. Innocent people are getting killed, he said. “Mr Chidambaram told me that innocent civilians and villagers are being killed by Naxals by labelling them as informers and something should be done to stop this violence,” Mr Agnivesh said.
Post new comment