The 'surrender' by two alleged naxals before police recently has created a controversy with their relatives claiming that they were not ultras and were illegally detained by the police after being forcibly picked up from their homes.
District SP Sandip Patil, however, denied the allegations of the family members insisting the alleged naxals indeed turned themselves in.
According to police, Mangu alias Ghisu Timma (45), a resident of Gaderi village in Etapalli taluka, surrendered before them on March 21, while Naresh alais Liladhar Kowase, who hails from Puser village in Chamorshi taluka, on April 1.
District police said in a release issued yesterday that Timma belonged to Militia (ARD) Dalam of CPI-Maoists while Kowase was working with LOS Chatgaon Dalam.
However, their relatives claimed both Timma and Kowase were picked up by police days before their "surrender" was announced.
Timma's younger brother Maharu alleged he was thrashed by the jawans of C 60 Commando Force on March 19 at their residence.
He said he came to know about his brother's "surrender" only after police declared it.
Kowase's father claimed his son was picked up by police on March 23 from Gadchiroli where he had gone to attend a rally.
"My son has not returned home since then, though the police had assured that he will be released after inquiry," Ganu Kowase said.
District SP Sandip Patil refused to take question on the whereabouts of the alleged naxals.
In a press conference yesterday, CPI demanded an inquiry against the policemen for "illegal detention" of the duo.
