The Kerala State Human Rights Commission on Wednesday issued notice to the state police chief over the gunning down of four Maoists near Attapady in Palakkad district during a combing operation.
Commission member P Mohandas asked the DGP to conduct a probe and submit a report within two weeks.
"The murder happened in God's own country.Police officials have not yet explained what provoked them to shoot at four people including a woman the moment they saw the maoists," the Commission said in a release.
The commission said all citizens in the country have a right to live as guaranteed by the Constitution.
"Police do not have the authority to take some person's life just because they are suspected maoists," the panel said.
Though the police have the right to self-defence, in this case the situation does not show there was a need for self-defence, it claimed.
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Police said the four maoists were killed during an exchange of fire which was started by the ultras.
The maoists--Karthi, Rema, Aravind and Manivasagan--were killed during exchange of fire in a two-day combing operation near Attapady in Palakkad district that started on Monday, Palakkad Superintendent of Police Shiv Vikram said.
However, tribal leaders, who acted as messengers to broker a deal for their surrender, claimed that it was a pre-planned attack by the police.
Four maoists--Karthi, Rema, Aravind and Manivasagan--were killed during exchange of fire in a two-day combing operation near Attapady in Palakkad district that started on Monday, Palakkad Superintendent of Police Shiv Vikram said.