CPI leader Narayana withdraws statement on encounter, apologises

Hyderabad: Communist Party of India (CPI) national secretary Dr K Narayana on Sunday said that he has withdrawn his previous statement on encounter of accused in Disha murder case.

Speaking to media persons here, Narayana said that he tendered an apology for his support to the alleged police encounter of four accused, who gang raped and murdered Disha near Shamshabad recently.

The CPI leader said that he withdrew his statement after the CPI national executive meeting passed a resolution against the police encounter of Disha killers and opposed his comments. "The party executive committee found fault with my previous comment in favour of the encounter of the accused and I tender an apology for that," he said.

Narayana said that as his party took a stand against the killing of the accused in an encounter, he would abide by the party's decision. He also said the encounter was not right as the courts alone deliver verdicts on such cases.

"Since my comments were against the CPI line, I withdraw it and say sorry," he said. It may be mentioned here that on the encounter day, Narayana welcomed the encounter and said it was his personal opinion.