District police superintendent V Ravinder said that he just wanted to know the scribe’s credentials as he was flashing a card from West Bengal after he spoke to relatives of Mallojula Koteswar Rao (Kishenji ) who was killed in encounter two days ago.
The reporter told a local correspondent that police were under the impression that Maoists could be visiting Peddapalli under the guise of journalists.
He told reporters that police had picked him after he stated that he had come from West Bengal. “They seemed to be under the impression that other persons (Maoists) would visit Peddapalli under the guise of journalists.”
Police said that the body of Kishenji will be escorted to Peddapalli under heavy security and handed over to the family perhaps at night or in the morning.
The cremation is likely on Sunday evening. The rites will be performed by Kishenji’s brothers.
The police said they expect a large gathering for the final rites of Kishenji and tight security arrangements to check entries into Peddapalli town have been put in place.
Sympathisers
At least a few thousand Maoist sympathisers, including top leaders like Poet Varavara Rao, Prof Hargopal and balladeer Gaddar, are expected to attend the funeral.
Surrendered Maoists have also been deployed as “spotters” to identify any top Maoists leaders.
Meanwhile, shops, establishments and educational institutions in the town of Pedapalli voluntarily observed a bandh as a mark of respect to the slain Naxal leader.