By IANS
Raipur : Chhattisgarh’s main opposition Congress party Wednesday expressed shock and anger over the Dantewada district collector’s allegations that party legislator Kawasi Lakhma is a spokesman for the outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist).
K.R. Pisda, district collector of Maoist-infested Dantewada, sent a report to the state government last week alleging that Lakhma, who represents Konta assembly seat of Dantewada district, is a Maoist spokesman and the ‘Y’ category security that he enjoys due to threats from Maoists should be withdrawn.
“The Maoists have got a sympathizer and a spokesperson in Lakhma as the elected representative has never opposed the red army. Instead, he came out in support of Maoists on some occasions. He has never issued a statement against the rebels and has even advocated abandoning the Salwa Judum civil militia movement,” the collector’s report said.
Though the state’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is keeping mum over the report, the Congress has described the charges as surprising and shocking.
“Lakhma is a senior tribal leader. The Dantewada collector should not cross his limits. The party will raise the issue in the state assembly on Nov 26 to seek action against the collector,” Ramesh Warlyani, general secretary and spokesman of the Congress party’s state unit, told IANS.
Lakhma, a farmer by profession, is the lone illiterate member of the 90-member Chhattisgarh assembly but enjoys mass support in Konta and was elected to the assembly for the second consecutive term in December 2003.
The Konta region has witnessed several cold-blooded killings of civilians and armed forces by Maoist guerrillas in the past couple of years. In July this year, 24 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were brutally killed by the rebels.
The Congress had called a meeting Tuesday and passed a resolution seeking extra security cover for Lakhma. Former chief minister Ajit Jogi and the leader of opposition Mahendra Karma have defended the legislator.
“I seek either a probe by the CBI or any independent agency about the charges levelled against me. I will file a defamation suit against the collector if he fails to prove the charges within 20 days,” Lakhma told IANS.
“The collector can shoot me in public if I have any association with the militants, but who will be responsible if I was killed by the Maoists if my security was withdrawn?” Lakhma asked.
On being contacted by IANS Wednesday, Pisda said: “I do not want to comment on the report.”