THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC chief Mullappally Ramachanran termed the encounter between the police and Maoists at Padinjarathara in Wayanad as fake. Ten such fake encounters happened during the tenure of the LDF. KPCC strongly condemned this incident, he said.

The Naxalite movement should not be dealt with guns and lathi. Socio-economic changes are needed to end Maoism. Instead, killing youths in fake encounters cannot be accepted, he said.

A 35-year-youth was killed in an encounter with the police this morning. Police also recovered a 303 rifle from him. Police said there were a total of three Maoists there.