Thaindian News

Lalgarh (West Bengal), Aug 9 (IANS) Social activist Swami Agnivesh Monday demanded a judicial inquiry into the killing of Lal Mohan Tudu and Sidhu Soren, leaders of the pro-Maoist tribal group People’s Committee Against Police Atrocities (PCAPA).
After arriving in Lalgarh, a Maoist stronghold in West Bengal’s West Midnapore district, the interlocutor between the government and Maoists said: “Judicial inquiry should be initiated into the killing of Tudu and Soren, who were allegedly killed in police encounter (shootout).”

Swami Agnivesh is scheduled to hold a meeting with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee, who is going to address a rally Monday afternoon.

Tudu was the president of PCAPA and Soren the supreme commander of PCAPA’s militant wing.

According to police, Tudu was killed in a police shootout near a security forces’ camp in Kantapahari Feb 23 and Soren was killed in another shootout in Metla forest July 26.

Swami Agnivesh said: “Dialogue is the only way to end the militancy, so we all have to try hard so that the peace process becomes successful.”

He said that a judicial inquiry should be initiated into the alleged killing of the civilians by Maoists.

“We all want to know whether the PCAPA leaders were killed in fake encounters or genuine encounters. Besides, we are eager to know whether the civilians were killed by the suspected Maoists or any other miscreants,” said the social activist.

Swami Agnivesh had earlier sought a judicial inquiry into the killing of Cherukiri Rajkumar alias Azad July 2 in Andhra Pradesh.

“We all want to know whether he was killed in a fake encounter or a genuine encounter,” he said.

“We will never allow the peace process to be derailed. Azad was at the forefront of initiating the process and, if the initiatives become successful, it will be the greatest tribute to Azad,” he said.

“Until we get the report, the peace process cannot be pursued,” said Agnivesh.