The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) has issued the following statement:
Andhra Killings
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the police action in the Seshachalam forest in Andhra Pradesh which has led to 20 people being shot dead. These persons were labourers hired for cutting down red sanders wood by those who illegally trade in it. The police claims regarding the incident are untenable as there is sufficient evidence to show that these labourers were killed with impunity. The state government and the police authorities have been failing to check the smuggling of red sanders and instead of taking appropriate measures in this regard, ordinary workers have become the target of police brutality.
The Polit Bureau demands that a judicial enquiry be instituted to enquire into the incident. The Andhra Pradesh government should also provide full compensation to the families of those killed.
Telengana Shootings
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) denounces the shooting in cold blood of five undertrial prisoners by the police in Telengana. These five young prisoners were being taken to court from Warrangal jail to Hyderabad. Midway they were shot inside the police van in what seems to be a staged encounter.
These premeditated killings seem to be an act of revenge for the deaths of two police personnel in an earlier encounter with some former SIMI activists.
These brazen murders in police custody cannot be swept under the carpet. There has to be a high level enquiry into the incident and exemplary action taken against the guilty police officials.