"Anatomy Of An Encounter In Bastar" (by Javed Iqbal)

On the 12th of April, 2009, the police reported that three Naxalites were killed in an encounter near Kirandool, in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

On the 12th of April, 2009, the police reported that three Naxalites were killed in an encounter near Kirandool, in Bastar district of Chhattisgarh, India.
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On the same day, not very far away from the scene of the 'encounter', an unconfirmed number of Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Central Reserve Police Forces had visited the village of Goomiyapal.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

On the same day, not very far away from the scene of the 'encounter', an unconfirmed number of Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Central Reserve Police Forces had visited the village of Goomiyapal.
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At Goomiyapal, they beat Inga (name withheld) with sticks, accusing him of being a Naxalite. Around four villagers claimed that they were beaten.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

At Goomiyapal, they beat Inga (name withheld) with sticks, accusing him of being a Naxalite. Around four villagers claimed that they were beaten.
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Inga's mother was also beaten, pleading with the SPOs that her son was not a Naxalite. Both Inga and his mother said that they will not file a FIR (First Information Report) against the police.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

Inga's mother was also beaten, pleading with the SPOs that her son was not a Naxalite. Both Inga and his mother said that they will not file a FIR (First Information Report) against the police.
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A few kilometres away, they had also visited Samalwar, where they gatecrashed a wedding and began to beat people with sticks and rifles. According to the villagers of Samalwar, it was from here that the three 'Naxalites' were taken away.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

A few kilometres away, they had also visited Samalwar, where they gatecrashed a wedding and began to beat people with sticks and rifles. According to the villagers of Samalwar, it was from here that the three 'Naxalites' were taken away.
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According to the police, the three Naxalites were killed in the forest in an encounter. They also claimed that they didn't visit Samalwar.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

According to the police, the three Naxalites were killed in the forest in an encounter. They also claimed that they didn't visit Samalwar.
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The three 'Naxalites' killed were identified as Raju, Bhasker and Channu Mandavi. Channu Mandavi was a nineteen year old boy from the village of Hiroli, who was soon to join the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). No one from his village of Hiroli believes that he is a Naxalite.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

The three 'Naxalites' killed were identified as Raju, Bhasker and Channu Mandavi. Channu Mandavi was a nineteen year old boy from the village of Hiroli, who was soon to join the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). No one from his village of Hiroli believes that he is a Naxalite.
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Channu Mandavi's parents were not aware that their son was killed until morning. The other guests at the wedding at Samalwar told them that he was just taken away by the SPO's.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

Channu Mandavi's parents were not aware that their son was killed until morning. The other guests at the wedding at Samalwar told them that he was just taken away by the SPO's.
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Eventually, all of the villagers from Hiroli marched to the police station and demanded the body of Channu Mandavi.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 06:59:52 +0000

Eventually, all of the villagers from Hiroli marched to the police station and demanded the body of Channu Mandavi.
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After a post-mortem, the police released the body of Channu Mandavi to the villagers of Hiroli. No one came to claim the bodies of Raju and Bhasker.

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 14:35:10 +0000

After a post-mortem, the police released the body of Channu Mandavi to the villagers of Hiroli. No one came to claim the bodies of Raju and Bhasker.
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Channu Mandavi's village is planning to file a complaint against the police even though there is a very slim chance that any serious action will be taken. According to some sources, there have been at least 1000 complaints filed against the SPOs, the CRPF and the Salwa Judum over the last four years. No action has been taken yet.

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 10:18:53 +0000

Channu Mandavi's village is planning to file a complaint against the police even though there is a very slim chance that any serious action will be taken. According to some sources, there have been at least 1000 complaints filed against the SPOs, the CRPF and the Salwa Judum over the last four years. No action has been taken yet.
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