By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
Kozhikode: Protests are brewing against the continuing arrest of human rights activists in Kerala on the charge of suspected Maoist links. Notable activists in the state urged the state government to take stringent action to release the activists of Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) – T Sugathan, Ajayan Mannoor and Karivelloor Ramakrishnan – who were arrested last week.
“This is a case of sheer violation of human rights. The police have imposed on the trio UAPA without adequate evidences. This action testifies how the government is scared of the mass movements against its policies,” the statement signed by prominent activists BRP Bhaskar, TT Sreekumar, Sachidanandan, J Devika, Advocate P A Pouran and Najmal N Babu said.
Chemmangad police here arrested T Sugathan, RDF state president, on charges of having links with Maoist group. According to police, the arrest was made based on the case related to appearance of posters, which said ‘Maoism Bheekaravadam Alla, Vimochanathinte Vazhikatti’ (Maoism is not extremism, but the road to liberty), registered by the Iritty police.
Ajayan Mannoor and Karivelloor Ramakrishnan, both functionaries of the RDF, were picked up by the police in the case recently. Earlier, two activists of the RDF had been taken into custody on the charges of organising a campaign at Parappa in Kasargod. They had been released after interrogation. Later, Ajayan and Ramakrishnan were arrested and slapped with charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Sugathan, hailing from Chombal in Vadakara of Kozhikode district, came to the city to attend the press meet and he was picked up by the police from Muthalakkulam as he was leaving the Press Club around 1 pm.
Earlier, two human rights activists Jaison C Cooper and Thushar Nirmal Sarathy were arrested alleging to have Maoist links and were imposed UAPA. The duo was later released after strong agitation was staged by various groups in the state.