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Rights groups raise voice against combing operations

BHUBANESWAR: Combing operations by the police and security agencies in naxal-infested areas evoked sharp reactions from civil rights groups and writers’ community who alleged large scale ‘oppression’ against those who were spearheading anti-displacement movements.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, veteran rights leader Guru Mohanty said the State Government was trying to instil fear among people who mustered courage to voice against ‘forceful’ displacement.

“As the multinational companies have started arriving in the State, the administrative machinery was acting at their behest.

Even a meeting by a group people about their village’s development programme was being viewed as action supporting naxalism in far flung areas in Kandhamal district,” he said.

A common forum would be formed to protest the police action, which was against basic fundamental rights. Social scientist Sudhir Patnaik said activists were unnecessarily framed at different places and democratic rights were trampled. “There should be concerted efforts from enlightened groups to ensure that people can raise their voice against the action, which they deemed to be going against their interest,” Mr. Patnaik said.

Writer Asutosh Parida, CPI (ML) leader Radhakant Sethi, lawyer Prasant Jena and social activist Chitta Mohanty were present.

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