Intellectuals Demand Centre to stop Fake Encounters

Hyderabad: Several intellectuals unanimously demanded that the Central government immediately stop the ongoing fake encounters in Chhattisgarh State.

Speaking to mediapersons on Tuesday, Prof G Lakshman, State coordinator of tribal rights struggle solidarity forum, Telangana civil rights association State general secretary N Narayana Rao, High Court advocate Suresh Kumar, Chaitanya Mahila Sangham Vedika State co-convenor G. Jyoti spoke.

Speaking on the occasion, they said in Chhattisgarh, eight Maoists were killed in an encounter in Bijapur and Ganguluru on February 1 and added that of the 352 people killed in the last 13 months, more than 250 were tribals. "Any government should be responsible for the right to life of a human being and it is against the law to chase and kill innocent people," they said and alleged that the BJP government, which has declared itself a double-engine government, was completely against the Constitution.

"Operation Kagar's murder spree should be stopped and 600 camps set up in adivasi areas should be removed immediately,” they demanded. They also demanded a thorough probe by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court into the killings of adivasis should be held. They appealed to the country's democrats and rights groups to respond and take the initiative to create a democratic atmosphere in the State of Chhattisgarh.

The meeting was attended by Shramika Spandana National Secretary Sheikh Shavali, TPF leader Rambabu, Padmakumari, Chandramouli, John and others.