From:
*Pravin Patel*
Human Rights Activist
Director, Tribal Welfare Society
PUBLIC EYE SWISS AWARD 2008 NOMINEE
MEMBER, Core committee "Tribal situation in Central India"
Initiative of Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai
Email : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Mobile:098271 58588
*To,*
*The Director General of Police*
Government of Orissa,
Cuttack, Orissa.
Sub: Wrong detention and physical assult of NGO staff in the Keonjhar
district.
Ref: Appeal published at Orissatodaynetwork.
Dear Sir,
This has reference to the above. We have come to understand that the
Keonjhar police have arrested few innocent persons u/s
458,392,397,435,436,427,294, 506 of IPC and section 25 & 27 of Arms Act,
suspecting them as Maoists. Not only that, they have been severely beaten
just to extract statements that police wants on the dotted lines. This is
very serious matter and can not be accepted in a civilized society. We
strongly oppose the arbitrary action of the district police who have picked
up the wrong persons. We humbly request you to please intervene in the
matter at the earliest by releasing those innocent persons who are staff of
an NGO named "KIRDTI" that works for the poor people of the area since last
over 19 years.
The said NGO is also works to protect the natural forest and Ecology, by
preventing illegal felling of trees and its subsequent smuggling. What is
wrong in their empowering tribals with the knowledge of their rights on
various subjects that affects their livelihood and environment?
Few examples are enough to throw light on the facts. On 11th March, 2008, 6
timber smugglers were caught red handed by the villagers and handed over the
to Harichandanpur police. On 21st June, 2008 Illegal logs worth Rs. 2 lacs
were seized from smugglers by local people. The NGO is also instrumental in
filing 189 cases for illegal transfer of land from Adivasis to non Adivasis.
However such actions are not to the taste of the Timber, Mining and land
Mafias. You will also agree with us that Mafias can not smoothly opeate
without police support. Such faces must be behind weaving the conspiracty to
get the innocent staffs of "KIRTDI" arrested falsely. In the present corrupt
system of governance any thing and every thing is possible.
You will also appreciate that on 23-02-08, the members of NGO had met Mr.
Koyal, previous S.P. to apprise him of the situation in the area and
sought his advice to pull out but the then S.P. advised them to continue
their operations. If the police has enough proof of involvement on any
individual person, there are enough laws to bring him or her to justice but
who has given them the authoritity to severly beat innocent persons? The
role of the police in the present case appers to be tilted heavily to help
those engaged in illicit activities in timber, Mining and land.
Image of police has gone down drastically in recent years in the eyes of
general public, more particularly to nab innocent persons and granting
favours to criminals. Tranceperancy International has also in its last
annual report stated that Police department in India tops the list of most
corrupted departments. The action of S.P. Keonjhar while dealing with staff
of KIRDTI needs to be reviewed by an honest police officer to save innocent
persons from any further harrashment. Your timely actions by doing justice
with the innocent staff of KIRTDI who are made to suffer for no fault of
theirs will help to improve the image of police to change the public
perception.
We humbly once again request your immediate intervention, for which action
of yours we shall ever to stop harrashing the staff and activists of KIRDTI
and release the innocent persons held in the captivity, at the earliest.
Thanking you,
Yours truly
S/d
(Pravin Patel)
Human Rights Activist
Director, Tribal
Welfare Society
Copy sent for information and immediate intervention to: .
1. His Excellency, the Governor of Orissa by courier services
2. The Chief Secretary; Government of Orissa
by E-mail. [EMAIL PROTECTED]<http://us.mc636.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[EMAIL
PROTECTED]>
3. The Home Secretary; Government of Orissa by E-mail. at
[EMAIL PROTECTED]<http://us.mc636.mail.yahoo.com/mc/[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
4. District Collector, Keonjhar Distrcit, by courier service
4. Released
at Orissatodaynetwork
5. Released at Jharkhandnet
6. Released at Chhattishgarhnet
