Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Apr 14: Various organizations, under the leadership of CPM, began a 24-hour hunger protest in front of the taluk office here on Friday April 13 morning, demanding release of Vittal Malekudiya, who has been arrested on the charge of supporting naxal activities. The protestors also demanded provision of basic amenities to people living inside Kudremukh National Park.

CPM senior leader and member of the state secretariat board, Bayya Reddy, inaugurated the protest at around 10 am on Friday. He accused the government of evicting aborigines of forests in the guise of protecting wild animals, but with the tacit aim of protecting the interests of multinational companies.

“The tall claims of the central and state governments that India is growing as an alternative power to USA and China are bogus.  They have been unable to support poor people including aborigines of forests and ensure civic rights to them, although these tribals have been deprived of even minimum needs,” he criticized. He said people are sandwiched between the highhandedness of Anti Naxal Force on one side, and the naxals on the other. He charged the policemen of arresting Vittal because of the fact that he used to inform media about the atrocities of ANF on the people.

Reddy said that former DGP, Shankar Bidari, present DGP, Infant, and home secretary had promised to release Vittal, but the local policemen continue to claim that he had contact with naxals. He also revealed plans to lay siege to Vidhan Saudha on May 21, demanding release of Vittal, and basic amenities at reserve forests. He said a delegation of CPM will also visit Kutloor to take stock of the situation there.

CPM district secretary, B Madhava, charged the policemen of lack of minimum common sense relating to naxal movement, and of killing their own colleague, Mane. DYFI district president, Muneer Katipalla, B M Bhat, Shekhar Beltangady, and others also addressed the protestors.

Several leaders from JMS, Dalit Rights Action Committee, Aborigine Rights Coordination Committee, and locals participated in the protest.