Mon May 26 04:19:57 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

CPI (ML) New Democracy leaders are protesting the Andhra Pradesh government’s alleged refusal to hand over the body of slain CPI (Maoist) General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao (Basavaraju) to his family for funeral rites. They claim the government is defying a High Court order and preventing the family from receiving the body, while also pressuring Chhattisgarh authorities to conduct the funeral locally due to fears of Maoist activity. The family has been attempting to claim the body for days. Local police officials have remained silent on the matter.

**News Article:**

**Family Denied Funeral Rights for Slain Maoist Leader, Allege CPI (ML) Leaders**

**Srikakulam, May 26, 2025** – A dispute has erupted over the handling of the body of Nambala Keshava Rao, also known as Basavaraju, the slain General Secretary of the CPI (Maoist). CPI (ML) New Democracy leaders P. Prasad and Tandra Prakash have accused the Andhra Pradesh government of obstructing the family’s right to a proper funeral for Rao, who was killed in an encounter in Chhattisgarh five days ago.

According to the leaders, the government is defying an Andhra Pradesh High Court order that favored the family’s request for the body. N. Ramprasad, Rao’s brother, traveled to Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, on May 22nd to retrieve the body, but Andhra Pradesh police allegedly prevented its transfer. Another brother, N. Dilleswara Rao, has reportedly been attempting to gain police approval for the funeral in their native village of Jiyyannapet in Srikakulam district for the past three days without success.

P. Prasad, also the State President of the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), alleges the Andhra Pradesh government is creating unnecessary hurdles due to unwarranted fears of renewed Maoist activity. Tandra Prakash emphasized that a dignified funeral is a fundamental right for the family. He further accused the state government of pressuring Chhattisgarh authorities to hold the funeral locally, fearing that transporting the body to Srikakulam would incite unrest.

As of this report, higher officials within the Srikakulam police department have declined to comment on the situation. The standoff continues, leaving the family in limbo and raising concerns about the respect for funeral rights and adherence to court orders.

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