Maoists claim Basvaraju was captured, killed; cops deny

The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the CPI (Maoist), in a statement, called the death of Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraj a "massacre" orchestrated by security forces on May 21 in Gundekot forest.

- Ritesh Mishra

RAIPUR: The Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee (DKSZC) of the CPI (Maoist), in a statement, called the death of Nambala Keshavrao alias Basavaraj a "massacre" orchestrated by security forces on May 21 in Gundekot forest.

However, police said that the press note of CPI Maoist was prima facie an attempt to glorify his death of Basavaraju and the statement is totally fabricated propaganda.

According to the DKSZC statement, the attack resulted in the deaths of 28 Maoist cadres, including senior leaders such as Nageshwar Rao alias Madhu, members of the central committee staff, and youth leaders of the party's cultural wing. The CPI (Maoist) has alleged that Basavaraj was captured alive and subsequently killed in custody.

The CPI (Maoist), in the statement, accused former Maoists of betrayal, revealing that key members of its local unit surrendered to police in recent months, compromising operational secrecy.