While condemning the attack by Naxals on a convoy of Congress leaders in Chhattisgarh, the People's Union for Civil Liberties has said the government must understand the grim human rights situation prevailing in the area before launching a counter-offensive.
"The PUCL strongly condemns the ambush of a Congress party election cavalcade by the dalam of the CPI(Maoist) party at Dharba Ghati area in Sukma district of Chhattisgarh on Saturday resulting in the death of 28 people including Congress party leaders, their personal security officers and ordinary villagers of the area," a statement said.
Referring to the incidents of killing of 8 tribal villagers in Edasmeta village of South Bastar on May 17 and 18, PUCL said that under no circumstances can acts of brutality be justified, even if they be in response to acts unleashed by the security forces.
"We equally stress that whatever the circumstances, the security forces must act within the bounds of law. Our apprehension that the present incident will be used by both the Central as also state governments to launch a brutal counter-offensive engulfing local tribal communities amidst greater state violence springs from the already grim human rights situation that prevails in the area," Dr V Suresh, National General Secretary, PUCL said.
The organisation asserted that all counter-measures adopted by the government should adhere strictly to the rule of law, including the core principles of criminal and constitutional law and the specific standards and obligations of international human rights law.
"The PUCL, through this appeal, is therefore giving a national call for a 'humanitarian respite' and appeals to the Central and state governments, the security forces and also to the Maoists, to agree to an immediate ceasefire, stopping of armed engagements and engage in talks," the statement said.
