The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Andhra Pradesh unit has strongly criticised ‘urban naxals’, Left parties and certain civil rights organisations for what it called a deliberate misinformation regarding the recent anti-Maoist operations.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, BJP State spokesperson Shaik Baji accused these groups of spreading false propaganda that police were ‘capturing and killing Maoists in cold blood in the name of encounters’.
Such allegations have intensified after the launch of Operation Kagar, a coordinated offensive against Maoist activity.
“Why did civil rights groups and Left organisations remain silent over the alleged killing of innocent tribal people by Maoists, branding the latter as informers? Why do they raise voices only when the police act against extremists?” he asked, adding that maintenance of internal security and law and order is among the top priorities of the Narendra Modi government.
The BJP leader praised the Andhra Pradesh Police for the encounter in which Maoist leader Hidma was killed, describing it as a significant achievement. “Hidma was responsible for the deaths of nearly 250 police and security personnel. The police deserve appreciation for eliminating such an extremist,” he said.