BJP demands case against ANF men be withdrawn

The State BJP on Friday demanded that the murder case filed against a Anti-Naxal Force personnel who had shot dead a civilian transporting cattle mistaking him for a Maoist in Thanikodu forest checkpost in Sringeri recently should be withdrawn immediately.

Addressing a press conference in Bangalore, party State general secretary C T Ravi said the Congress was indulging in “vote bank politics” by portraying the victim, Kabeer as innocent. He said Kabeer was illegally transporting cattle. By booking a murder case against the ANF personnel Naveen Naik, the government demoralised the force, he claimed.

“The government has succumbed to pressure from SDPI and Komu Souharda Vedike and increased the compensation paid to Kabeer’s family from Rs five lakh to Rs 10 lakh. This is like giving a reward for a person who has committed a crime,” he alleged. He said Kabeer and his associates had started to run as soon as they saw the ANF personnel approach them. The personnel were doing their duty, he claimed.

“The personnel will hesitate to open fire even if they come across real Maoists,” Ravi said.