'Maoist' killing: NHRC issues notice to Jharkhand govt

NHRC today said it has issued notice to Jharkhand government over the killing of 12 suspected Maoists in an encounter last week.
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognisance of media reports that 12 suspect Maoists, including four minors, were gunned down in a joint operation of Cobra Battalion and district police in Bakoria village of Palamu district in the wee hours of June 9, NHRC said in a statement.
Those killed also included a teacher who had apparently lived under the threat of Maoists. No injuries were reported to any of the police personnel but eight weapons were reported to have been recovered after the alleged encounter, it read.

"The notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Jharkhand government by Justice D Murugesan, member of the commission, who observed that right to life is a constitutionally guaranteed fundamental right and no person should be deprived of his life except according to procedure established by law.
"The commission has sought a detailed report on the alleged encounter within four weeks," an NHRC member said.