Woman Maoist’s parents accuse CRPF of mental torture

RAIPUR - The Chhattisgarh Police Tuesday began a probe into a complaint from the tribal parents of a woman Maoist leader that they were being harassed by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Punitram and his wife Atbati, who claim to be innocent and say they have had nothing to do with their 19-year-old daughter Dineshwari for two years, have sought action against mental torture by CRPF men in a village in Dhamtari district, some 175 km from here.

“The father and mother of the female Maoist leader met me and complained of harassment by CRPF and sought justice. The parents seemed quite disturbed and frightened,” Shaikh Arif Husen, the district superintendent of police of Dhamtari, told IANS.

“I have acted promptly and asked Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Agrawal to probe the matter comprehensively.”

He said he would recommend action against the security personnel if the probe found them guilty.

Punitram and Atbati told Husen that two years ago their daughter had left the house after they shouted at her over a family issue. Then they came to know that she had joined the Maoist movement.

Husen said Dineshwari was a Maoist leader and had links with several attacks, including the May 2009 incident at Risgaon in Dhamtari in which 12 policemen were killed.