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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Maoist encounter: Chhattisgarh government plans judicial probe-Bharti Jain

Maoist encounter: Chhattisgarh government plans judicial probe-Bharti Jain

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published Published on Jul 4, 2012   modified Modified on Jul 4, 2012
-The Economic Times

A section of the Chhattisgarh government is coming around to the view that a judicial inquiry into the recent encounter with Maoists may be the best option to counter allegations that innocent tribals were killed. 

The state government is already in touch with the Union home ministry in this regard, a senior official told ET. The official, who did not wish to be named, said a section within the government believes that ordering a suo motu judicial inquiry, possibly by a high court judge, would help pre-empt the setting up of an independent inquiry panel by courts. Such a panel could include rights activists too, the official added. 

The state government has come under increasing pressure since last Friday, when the Central Reserve Police Force and the state police killed 20 people in a fierce encounter in the jungles of Dantewada. Union tribal affairs minister, V Kishore Chandra Deo, Tuesday joined the chorus of those who questioned the encounter. 

"Using human shields is sinful, but indiscriminate firing on women and minors is unacceptable," he said and added that he would take up the matter with home minister P Chidambaram once he had more inputs on the incident. 

"What can a judicial panel establish? It is clear the first fire came from the village congregation that was obviously organised by Maoists. The security forces had no option but to return fire," the official said. 

However, the official added, "in the darkness, it was not possible for them to see clearly as to who was being hit. In any case, there is no way one can differentiate between a Maoist and an ordinary civilian. At most, the judge can establish that there was some extra collateral damage in a bona fide encounter." 

The state government wants both the Union home ministry and the paramilitary force on board before ordering a judicial probe. Union home secretary RK Singh had on Monday ruled out a judicial inquiry into the encounter because the home ministry officials believe that such a probe would adversely affect motivation of the CRPFpersonnel. 

"After the Dantewada setback of 2010, when the CRPF lost 75 troops in a single Maoist ambush, the force had gone into a shell. Of late, however, it is back in action and is participating in joint, intelligence-based operations in south Chhattisgarh. A judicial probe could sap its morale yet again," an MHA official said. 

Both the home ministry and the CRPF have ruled out anything mala fide in the encounter. According to a home ministry official, at least five of the 20 Naxaliteskilled have pending criminal cases against them. 

As for the rest, whose age profile is described as anything between 18 and 35, the home ministry is convinced that they were either active Naxal supporters or villagers who were most likely being used by Maoists as human shields. 

"The pellets found in the bodies of the injured CRPF personnel are from muzzle-loaders, shotguns or automatic weapons - commonly used by Naxalites," the home ministry official pointed out, adding, "Besides, the villagers were possibly attending a land distribution meeting, which can only be organised by Maoists in a 'liberated' area."

The Economic Times, 4 July, 2012, http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/maoist-encounter-chhattisgarh-government-plans-judicial-probe/articleshow/14657632.cms


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