17 Kanker dead, were shot in cold blood, claim Maoists

RAIPUR:

Maoists

on Saturday alleged that 17 of their 29 cadres killed in the April 16

Kanker

encounter were shot

dead

in cold blood by the

security forces

.
Police have rejected the charge, terming the allegation a "ruse to gain people's sympathy and discredit the security forces".
Maoist spokesperson for north sub-zonal bureau, Mangli, alleged that after the encounter, security forces rounded up unarmed or injured Maoists and shot them down.

He announced a bandh on April 25 in Mohla-Manpur, Kanker and Narayanpur, a day before Kanker goes to poll.
A joint team of

BSF

and District Reserve Guards had launched a massive anti-Maoist operation on April 16 in the forests of Chhotebethiya in Kanker. Three jawans were injured in the gunfight.