The Raman Singh government in Chhattisgarh and the Union home ministry in Delhi have both given way to the intense pressure to probe the June 29 Basaguda encounter.
On Thursday, the state decided to order a judicial inquiry. In Delhi, the Union home ministry gave clearance for it. The operation, in which 17 alleged Maoists or their sympathisers were killed, has caused an outcry among activists and the locals in Basaguda, who claim innocent tribals, woman and children were among the victims."All kinds of allegations have been leveled against the central reserve police force (CRPF) with regard to the June 29 encounters," said a senior home ministry official.
“The CRPF has nothing to hide. We have conveyed to the Chhattisgarh government that it may hold any inquiry — judicial, CBI or executive — into the matter.”
Since law and order is a state subject, only the state government can order an inquiry in the matter, he added.
Chief minister Singh has decided to request the chief justice of Chhattisgarh high court to name the judge who would investigate the incident.
{{/usCountry}}Chief minister Singh has decided to request the chief justice of Chhattisgarh high court to name the judge who would investigate the incident.
{{/usCountry}}The decision had not been taken under any political pressure, he said.
“The state never had any issue with the probe. We wish the facts be known to all,” he said.
A government spokesperson said broadly, six points would be covered under the investigation.
These include whether the encounter took place with naxals; how the incident occurred; the forces, rebels or others killed and injured; the conditions that led to undertake the operation and whether it was possible to avoid the encounter.