Kerala Chief Secretary openly justifies Maoist killings

Thiruvananthapuram:  State Chief Secretary Tom Jose in an article said that Moaists do not have the “same human rights and privileges as normal citizens”, kicking up a row following the Maoist killing at Attapadi days ago.

After the article came out, UDF went on the offensive against the government as CPI, the coalition partner in the government, also raising voice against the article, terming the secretary’s stance as contempt of court.

The Opposition argued in the house that the chief secretary violated service rules.

In an article published in The Times of India, the secretary said that there was no rationale in stating that Maoists who indulge in armed conflict have the same human rights and privileges as normal citizens.

He went on to justify the police action saying that the security personnel carried out their duty.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the assembly that he would look into the matter.