HYDERABAD: With reports emerging that CPI (Maoist) Telangana state secretary Yapa Narayana alias Haribushan succumbed to Covid-19 in the last couple of days, Bhadradri-Kothagudem police on Wednesday confirmed his death in an official statement.
However, the Maoists did not confirm the development.
Bhadradri-Kothagudem superintendent of police Sunil Dutta said Haribushan died of heart attack on Monday.
He had Covid-19, the SP added.
However, police did not disclose the location of his death.
“In the past, police have declared that several key Maoists and many of their cadre were hit by coronavirus.
But Maoist central committee general secretary Nambala Kesava Rao, in a statement, denied the police claim.
With the latest death, that of Haribushan, following other CPI Maoist party cadre’s deaths, in the recent past, it is now clear that our information was correct,” Sunil said.
According to the police, Maoists Kukati Venkanna, Sarada, Sonu, Vinod, Nandu, Iduma, Devay, Mulla Devender Reddy, Damodar and Badrudu were afflicted with Covid-19.
The SP said the CPI Maoist leadership should take responsibility for the death of Haribushan and others, who died of Covid-19, since they were allegedly denied treatment and not allowed to move out of forest for a long time.
In the past, Haribushan had given a slip to Telangana police on several occasions.
He had been one of the most wanted Maoist leaders and was reportedly making attempts to revive the Maoist influence in Telangana.