BERHAMPUR: "We were shot by the police after we surrendered and we are not naxals, but poor peasants from MV-78 village," says Aravind Mandal and Santosh Kumar Mandal, who were injured in an encounter at Tandimetla in Malkangiri district on Friday.

According to the police, two naxals were killed and two others -- Aravind and Santosh -- were arrested after they sustained injureies in a police raid on a naxal meeting at Tandimetla. Both the injured were brought to the MKCG Medical College for treatment on Saturday night.

Speaking to The Hindu , they admitted that they attended a meeting called by naxals as they were afraid of Maoists.

Charge against police

Around 30 persons, including women and children of MV-78 village, were at the meeting when the police raided the venue.

Aravind disputed the police claim that two naxals were killed in the encounter. He said one of the deceased was the naxal leader, who had called the meeting, but the other person killed was S.C. Ray, a ward member of their village. When the police started firing, Aravind and Santosh hid in a small stream. Later, the police ordered all innocent villagers at the spot to surrender and both of them got out of the stream. He alleged some of the policemen posted at a distance fired at their legs even after they had surrendered.

They said they have no links with naxals but some times they have to attend meetings of naxals and provide them food out of fear.

When asked about the claims of the police that arms were recovered from them, both the injured said they have never touched any firearm in their life.

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