Maoists observe fast in Coimbatore jail to protest Nilambur encounter

Three of five Maoists lodged in the Central jail in Coimbatore observed a day-long fast today to condemn the 'encounter' killing of two Maoist leaders near Nilambur in Kerala.

The three inmates, Roopesh, Anoop and Veeramani refused to take breakfast and lunch to protest the killings, which they termed as a "planned encounter," jail sources said.

However, two others, Shyna, wife of Roopesh and Kannan, who were arrested 18 months ago from Karumathampatti on the outskirts, did not not participate in the hunger strike, they said.

Two Maoists, Kuppuswamy Devaraj (65), a central committee member of the outlawed maoist outfit and Ajitha (45), were killed in an encounter with the police in Nilambur forests in Malappuram district, Kerala, on November 24 during a combing operation.