[Reader-list] Statement condemning the abduction of APCLC activists at Hyderabad

[asit das]

*Statement condemning the abduction of APCLC activists at Hyderabad*
*July 16, 2012*

*Statement from Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee*

In the early morning between 4.30 and 5.00 AM on 16th july Mr. Narayanrao,
Hyderabad APCLC Unit Secretary and another activist MR.Hanumantarao along
with 15 persons, who are the relatives of the deceased in the recent
Chintlanar massacre were abducted by the Police near Mahatma Gandhi Bus
Station in Hyderabad. Mr. Naryaanarao went to the Bus Station to receive
the tribes and help them to reach Raipur to attend a meeting against the
Bijapur killings to be held on 17th July. Worried about their missing and
doubting the hand of the police the APCLC members went to the Afjulgung
Police Station and enquired about the incident. But the police replied that
they did not arrest any one from Bus Station. Apprehending danger to the
lives of APCLC activists and others a delegation met the Home Minister,
Sabita Indirareddy and brought to her notice about the abduction. After
three hours the Home Minister confirmed the arrest but did not disclose the
place of detention. However, the police belatedly confirmed arrests and
said, they need some time to interrogate the arrested persons but refused
to inform the place of detention. We suspect that the police may torture
and use third degree methods.

We believe, firstly, that the arrests are made in the back drop of the
recent visit of CDRO fact finding team to three villages in Bijapur
district for an inquiry in the massacre of tribes and releasing a report to
the press which made it public the barbarity of the CRPF and other
Paramilitary forces and the cold blooded murder of Adivasi people.
Secondly, it is to prevent people from attending Raipur Meeting on 17th
July. Thirdly, the principal intention behind the abductions is to
terrorize APCLC and Adivasis and to and to keep silent on the recent
massacre. It is also a police strategy to prevent rights associations from
knowing truth through fact finding enquires. The Apex Court has in quite a
number of its decisions reiterated the right to know is a fundamental right
and form part of freedom of speech and expression. Hence, the arrest of
rights activists and Adivasis is to throttle the voice against the state
lawlessness and particularly the recent genocide of tribes in Chattishgarh

We therefore strongly condemn the abductions of rights activists and
request all the rights organizations to express solidarity and support to
our struggle for their release.

*Prof. S. Seshaiah
APCLC*

 --