Row over surrender of 'fake Maoists' in Chhattisgarh

Raipur, Jan 7 (UNI) Chhattisgarh police is embroiled in a major controversy following criticism that it has ''persuaded'' innocent tribals of Bastar to surrender as naxalites before Chief Minister Raman Singh on January 3.

The state police had organised a function at its headquarters in the state capital on January 3 where 79 tribals, including women, surrendered before Dr Singh and took oath expressing full faith in the Constitution and resolving to return to the national mainstream.

The police also released to the media the list of those, who had surrendered at the function, claiming that most of them were either carrying rewards on their heads or warrants were pending against them.

A day after the surrender, local media reported that those who had surrendered before the chief minister were mostly innocent tribals from Bastar region, about 400 km away from the state capital. Opposition parties also joined the issue, demanding an inquiry, alleging that it was a show stage-managed by the police.

BJP legislator and parliamentary secretary Mahesh Baghel, who represents Keshkal assembly constitutiony in Bastar from where the people had surrendered, also demanded an inquiry alleging that they were neither naxals nor even the members of Sangam, the grassroot-level supporters of the Comminist Party of India (Maoists).

Mr Baghel, who called on the chief minister to apprise him about the situation, told UNI that Dr Singh has promised to conduct an inquiry into the matter.

''He has assured to conduct an inquiry and to take stern action against if any police official is found guilty of stage-managing such a surrender,'' he added.

Mr Baghel claimed that few of the weapons, which were brought during the surrender, were in fact licened, and said these would be produced later.

''The police, by organising such a programme in the state capital, had tried to claim credit for the surrender of Maoists but it has tarnished the image of the government,'' Mr Baghel added.

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