High Court asks AP govt. to ensure no harm done to Maoist leader RK

Hyderabad, Oct.31: Taking a serious view of the mystery surrounding the whereabouts of top Maoist leader Ramakrishna, popularly known as RK, the Hyderabad High Court, on Monday directed the Andhra Pradesh Government to ensure that no physical harm was done to the allegedly missing fugitive. The High Court was hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Sirisha, wife of the Maoist leader, pleading for the production of her "missing husband" whom she felt was in the custody of the police. It may be mentioned here that RK was involved in the gun-battle with the police on the Andhra-Odisha Border ( AOB) on October 23/24 in which 24 Naxalites were killed. The top Naxalite leader, who has been evading arrest for a long time is believed to have been injured in the so-called encounter and had escaped. However, Civil Liberties leaders and also Sirisha claim that the police have captured RK and they fear harm to his life. Hence the petition was filed in the High Court for his production before the judiciary. After hearing the arguments of the Counsel for the petitioner, the Court wanted to know whether RK was in police custody. The Government Counsel declared that he was not aware of the missing Maoist, whereupon the court directed him to give the same in writing and posted the case for further hearing to Thursday. Earlier, the court also reminded that any civilian, even if he is a Maoist, deserves to be protected. RK might be a Maoist, but he is also an Indian citizen and hence cannot be killed in the name of encounter.