Kozhikode: A day after a Maoist was gunned down in an encounter in Wayanad district by Kerala police's special wing Thunderbolts, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala on Friday lashed out at the ruling Left Front government for its failure to tackle the issue.
The Congress leader said here that the government should clear the mystery surrounding the killing of the Maoist leader C P Jaleel, who was gunned down during a raid by the extremists on a posh resort on Wednesday night. Chennithala said he was not in a position to conclude if the encounter was fake as alleged by the family of Jaleel.
“As a former home minister, I am aware of the situation existing in the state, and this government completely failed in understanding the looming threat from extremists, including Maoists, in northern districts. Their leaders like Roopesh and Shaina were caught tactfully, why the police were not able to avoid situation that led to the firing and death of a man? Wasn't it a wrong strategy?”
“Was there any case against him earlier? If yes, the government should reveal it now. It is known that his family has an inclination to Maoism. Such aspects have to be probed. There are media reports that he was shot from behind. This is the third killing of Maoists after this government came to power. When two people were killed in Nilambur firing, we had supported the government. At that time, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran was the one who criticised the government. On Jaleel's killing, he is saying he is not aware of the situation. His statements are surprising,” the Opposition leader said.
He added that a judicial investigation as per the Supreme Court guidelines should be conducted into the firing incident.
Hours after Jaleel was killed at Lakkidi in Wayanad district, his family members had alleged that the encounter was fake. C P Jaleel was killed in the encounter after a four-member gang of Maoists stormed the luxury resort on Wednesday night.
Jaleel's brothers C P Rasheed and C P Jishad demanded a judicial probe into the encounter to unravel the truth. They feared that their brother might have been caught and killed by the police.
