The banned CPI (Maoist) has termed the recent exchange of fire in G.K. Veedhi mandal in Visakhapatnam district as an ‘unprovoked encounter’.
In a letter reportedly released by the CPI (Maoist) AOB secretary Ganesh on Tuesday claimed that the Maoists were returning after a meeting when they were surrounded by the Greyhounds personnel and the later opened fire.
“Three Maoists —Budri, Bimala, Ajay—were killed at the encounter site on October 22. Ramesh and Bhuma were tortured and killed by the security forces on October 23,” the letter claimed.
All the slain Maoists were from the third platoon of the Maoist PLGA and hailed from Chhattisgarh.
However, Rural Police have said that it was the Maoists who first opened fire on the security forces in G.K. Veedhi mandal and the security forces retaliated in self defence.
The Maoists also claimed that the YSR Congress Party had come to power with the support of tribal people.
“Now, the same now, the government, with the help of the police are harassing the innocent tribal people,” the letter said.
Protesting the alleged encounter, the Maoists have called for a bandh in the Visakhapatnam Agency on Thursday (October 3).
They urged the tribal people to extend support to the bandh call.
