Arrests aimed at stopping rights movement: PUCL

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties today alleged that the arrest of its president and human rights activist Rajendra Sayal yesterday was part of the Chhattisgarh Government’s

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) today alleged that the arrest of its president and human rights activist Rajendra Sayal yesterday was part of the Chhattisgarh Government’s attempt to thwart a civil rights demonstration scheduled for May 31. The demonstration has been planned to protest against the recent excesses by the state police.

A statement issued by PUCL claimed it was being targeted by the Government after it brought to light several human rights violations by the state. “The arrest of our office-bearers, including Sayal, is part of the Government plan to crack the whip on rights activists involved in a campaign against Draconian laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act, 2005,” it said.

“PUCL national vice-president Dr Vinayak Sen was also arrested for actively opposing the Government and regularly exposing fake encounters, disappearances and rapes conducted in the garb of anti-Maoist operations,” the statement added.

Sayal is the second top PUCL leader to be arrested after Dr Sen, who was arrested on May 14 last for his suspected links with Naxalites. The police claim Sen was arrested after jailed Maoists revealed his Naxalite links, especially his regular interaction with a top Naxalite leader in jail.

PUCL said the warrant against Sayal has been pending for two months. “The unnecessary delay in serving it is questionable, especially as a massive demonstration is planned for May 31 to protest against Dr Sen’s arrest. This is the police’s attempt to undermine, jeopardise and suppress the democratic human rights of people,” the statement added.

However, rubbishing PUCL’s claims, Raipur SSP B S Marawi said, “Sayal has been arrested on a warrant issued by the Madhya Pradesh High Court in a case of contempt.” He denied Sayal’s arrest had anything to do with Sen. “There hasn’t been any delay in serving the warrant and the allegation is totally false,” he added.

Tribal killings: Cong team to press for NHRC probe

Raipur: A fact finding team of the All India Congress Committee, sent to probe the killing of seven tribals on March 31 in an alleged fake encounter at Santoshpur village in Bijapur, has demanded an inquiry into the incident by the National Human Rights Commission. MP Moolchand Meena from Rajasthan, who is part of the team, said the district administration had tried to prevent the delegation from visiting the area saying that the people have deserted the villages. “We found people in these villages. They are scared after the March 31 incident,” he said. Meena said the team spoke to the villagers. “The villagers said the men in police uniform and Salwa Judum activists were behind the incident,” Meena said.