Naxal groups call shutdown over police encounter death in UP

The TeluguSyndicates People's Committee (TSPC), an armed organization active in Jharkhand, declared a 72-hour shutdown from September 24-26 to protest the death of Brijesh Ganjhu, who was killed in a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh. The announcement reflects significant anger within naxal circles across the state's mining and forest regions.

According to the organization, Ganjhu was a member who fell victim to what it described as a staged encounter by law enforcement. The TSPC has held the Jharkhand government and state police administration responsible for the death, demanding accountability for what it terms an extrajudicial killing.

The shutdown call affects seven districts in Jharkhand, indicating the breadth of the organization's presence and support base in the state. Similar protest actions have been used by armed groups in the past to mobilize opposition against security operations and draw attention to their grievances.

The incident underscores ongoing tensions between security forces and militant organizations operating across Jharkhand and neighboring regions. Police encounters involving suspected militants remain controversial, with human rights groups frequently raising concerns about due process and the circumstances surrounding such operations.