CPI seeks action against cops involved in tribal's 'encounter'

Three tribals were gunned down by the anti-Maoist squad of C-60 commandos after they mistook them for Naxals

The Communist Party of India (CPI) has demanded an inquiry into the killing of a tribal by police in naxal-infested Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra.

 

Anandrao Ramji Gawde (40), a resident of Bhagwanpur village, was gunned down by the anti-Maoist squad of C-60 commandos near a village here after they mistook him and two others for Naxals on July 16 night.

 

SP Mohammed Suvez Haque admitted yesterday that Gawde had no connection with Maoists.

 

"Since this is a very serious matter, it should be investigated thoroughly and action be taken immediately against cops involved in the incident," District Secretary of CPI Mahesh Kopulwar said last evening.

 

He alleged that Gawde and others had gone to their fields on the day of the incident when police approached them and opened indiscriminate fire without verifying facts.

 

However, according to police, the anti-Maoist squad was returning after an operation on July 16 night, when they saw three people on a motorbike between Wairagad and Uradi villages.

 

Police asked them to stop as they were carrying arms with them, but they refused to do so even after being warned.

 

Police chased them into the fields of Uradi village. One of them opened fire at police, who then retaliated, leading to Gawae's death.

 

Police arrested Baghunath Tulavi (28) and Deorao Rajiram Usendi (30), both residents of Bhagwanpur village in Kurkheda taluka, and recovered two country-made guns, a knife and an axe from them.

 

The three persons were hunting wild animals in the area and it was found that they were not associated with Maoists in any way as per preliminary enquiries, the SP had said.