KOLKATA/JHARGRAM: The killing of top Maoist leader Kishenji raised a controversy on Friday with his supporters and some political parties alleging he was eliminated in a fake encounter, a charge denied by CRPF which said it was a “clean” operation.
The Maoists demanded an independent probe into the circumstances leading to the killing of Kishenji in Burisole forest in West Midnapore district yesterday. A call for a two-day bandh in West Bengal from November 26 was also given by Maoists in protest against the alleged fake encounter. “Kishenji was killed in a fake encounter. To protest this we are calling a two-day statewide bandh from November 26 and a week-long protest,” Maoist state committee member and spokesperson Akash told PTI on phone.
Rejecting the allegation, CRPF Director-General Vijay Kumar said Kishenji was killed in a ‘very clean and successful’ operation by the joint forces in West Midnapore district. “It was a very clean and successful operation and our boys did not waste a minute,” Kumar told reporters in Burisole forest in Jhargram area where Kishenji was killed. “No, no, no” he said when asked about the allegation that Kishenji was eliminated in a fake encounter.
Telugu poet and Maoist sympathiser Varvara Rao alleged that Kishenji had been killed in a fake encounter. “Kishenji was arrested two days ago and kept in police custody.” (PTI)
