HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Monday said that the police-naxal encounter in which eight Maoists were killed was genuine.

Talking to mediapersons here, Dr. Reddy rejected allegations that naxalites were killed in a `fake encounter.' He denied speculations that the police had some top Maoist leaders in its custody.

The Chief Minister said that "no one is happy over the deaths" but made it clear that law would take its own course. He held out that the Government had to discharge its Constitutional duties when some persons choose to carry weapons and indulge in anti-social activities.

`No animosity'

He pointed out that the Government was doing its duty and bore no particular animosity towards naxalites. "In fact, we have no need to commit any wrong," he said and reiterated his appeal to naxalites to join the mainstream.

Dr. Reddy sought to allay fears about the fallout of the latest violence on the gram panchayat elections. He said the polls were being fought on a non-party basis and security had been stepped up wherever required.

Swaranjit Sen, DGP, said he did not think that the naxalite movement "is down and out" following the encounter. Speaking to reporters, he said naxalites were waging a guerrilla war shifting from place to place.

"The Nallamala encounter is certainly an achievement but we can't conclude that we have destroyed the naxalite movement. If they had a permanent camp and if the police had destroyed it, then one could consider that the movement had been broken. Referring to criticism that he was taking independent decisions in dealing with the problem, he said the police had a clear mandate to put down violence.

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