Nagpur: Raoji Gota, father of dreaded Maoist commander Mahesh alias Shivaji, sprang a surprise by leading his son’s funeral procession at Etapalli in south Gadchiroli last Friday.
The funeral procession, organized by the police department, culminated by burning effigies of Mahesh and another senior Maoist cadre Joganna.
Sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) Kirankumar Suryavanshi of Etapalli division had organized a three-day ‘Jan Maitraiyee Margdarshan Melawa’ or police-public solidarity and awareness camp between July 25 and 27.
On Friday, the SDPO office organized a symbolic ‘funeral procession’ in which a sizeable cross-section of local masses, including students, participated. Amid anti-Maoist slogans, the participants also held up banners condemning the violence perpetrated by the reds. The procession, however, took a twist when Raoji led the funeral procession for his son.
Apart from organizing propagandas, the district police and paramilitary forces are also gearing to for thwart the reds during their Naxal saptah to be observed between July 28 and August 3 to commemorate the sacrifices of their slain comrades.
The reds also undertake massive anti-government propaganda and violence during the weeklong activities.
