Pull back forces from Bastar: Patkar
Raipur | Friday, Jan 8 2010 IST
 

social activist Medha Patkar today demanded withdrawal of security forces from naxalism-affected Bastar division for the sake of tribal folk's rights.

Addressing a press conference here on her return from the rebel stronghold Dantewada, Ms Patkar called for open peace talks with ultras. Alleging a war-like situation in Bastar, she warned that any offensive against the guerillas would aggravate matter. The activist slammed the state government's anti-extremism policy, anti-militant Salwa Judum movement and ongoing Operation Green Hunt launched by security personnel.

While she was addressing media in Raipur Press Club along with Magsaysay-recipient Sandeep Pandey and a host of People's Union for Civil Liberties' activists, about 50 orphans demonstrated at the main entrance against Ms Patkar's alleged sympathy for the insurgents.

Fielding a barrage of questions regarding their repeated allegations only against the government and security personnel forces, Mr Pandey said, ''we do not have any control over the naxals. And we also know that we will not be able to change their hearts, but can impact on the government's approach to the issue.

The issues raised by naxals are very much true, but we cannot justify the path they have chosen.'' Criticising the state regime and Dantewada police for the mob attack on them and registering of false cases of dacoity against six of their team members in Dantewada on Tuesday, the activists alleged that local police and the ''state-sponsored'' Maa Danteshwari Adivasi Swabhiman Manch conspired to foil a proposed 'padyatra' and public hearing organised in the region by the non-government organisation 'Vanavasi Chetna Ashram' against police atrocities.

''The mob that pelted stones, eggs and tomatoes at us were all found to be Salwa Judum members,'' Ms Patkar claimed.

The activist, who led a 35-member team from different parts of the country to Dantewada to participate in the proposed hearing yesterday, criticised Governor E S L Narasimhan and Chief Minister Raman Singh for persuading Union Home Minister P Chidambaram to cancel his visit to the town -- in connection with the programme -- at the 11th hour.

-- (UNI) -- 08DR62.xml

 

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