CRPF denies fake encounter

The killing of top Naxalleader 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 Naxals 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," Naxal state committee member and spokesperson Akash told PTI on phone from an undisclosed location.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.