Raipur: The Maoist party has released a sensational letter blaming covert operatives for the recent death of its central committee general secretary, Nambala Keshav Rao, in an encounter in Chhattisgarh’s Abujhmad forests on May 21.
In a statement issued under the name of its Special Zonal Committee, the party claimed that six members of Keshav Rao’s team had recently surrendered and accused one member of the Unified Command of turning traitor. “It was due to information leaked by these defectors, including a command operative, that the encounter took place,” the letter stated. “Keshav Rao had been in the Mad region for the past six months, and police were aware of his movements. The betrayal by Ricky and others led to this tragedy. However, seven members of the team managed to escape safely.”
The party strongly criticized what it called a “fake encounter” and questioned the official narrative. Police had earlier announced that 27 Maoists, including Keshav Rao, were killed in the operation, but have not yet disclosed the exact location of the encounter.
Civil society groups have also raised concerns, pointing out that the authorities have not handed over the bodies to the families of the deceased, further fueling suspicions. Activists and sympathizers argue that Keshav Rao was usually guarded by at least 50 personnel, and questioned why only 26 others were shown to have been killed along with him.
The controversy continues to stir debate, as the Maoist party insists that the operation was staged and driven by insider betrayal.