Kishenji killed in fake encounter, say his family members

The family members of slain top Maoist leader Kishenji on Friday alleged that he was killed in a fake encounter and demanded that his body be handed over to them for performing the last rites.

Molajula Koteswar Rao, 58, better known as Kishenji, was gunned down by security forces in a forest in West Midnapore district of West Bengal. He hailed from Peddapalli in Karimnagar district.

Talking to the media at Peddapalli, Anjaneyulu, elder brother of Kishenji, maintained that the killing was the result of a conspiracy hatched by the West Bengal and central governments.

Anjaneyulu alleged that his brother was killed in a fake gun-battle. He appealed to the government to hand over the Maoist leader's body for cremation at his native place.

The body of Kishenji was first taken to the Jhargram hospital morgue and then to the Midnapore police morgue for post-mortem.

After coming to know about the death of the top Maoist leader, his relatives and friends visited his house.

Meanwhile, the police have maintained a strict vigil in the district after the killing of Kishenji.