The Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraskha Sangathan, Odisha is extremely worried on the implications of the attack to the democratic setup and the constitutional rights of people of the country under the cover of “Operation Octopus”.
A nation-wide raid and arrest of hundreds of leader from the Popular Front of India (PFI) and subsequent the organisation along with seven other under the notorious ‘UAPA’ is a show of massive state power and authoritarian character.
A joint operation was conducted under the CRPF, the Home Ministry, ATS, NIS, ED, RAW, some of the state polices and other organisations, which the people of the country never witnessed even during the Emergency.
Even without following the minimum of federal system of the country, the raids were conducted in the non-BJP ruled states. At the same time, this spectacular showcase of the state power was propagated in the mainstream media to create a fear-sycosis, intimidation and to alienate a particular minority community.
While arresting more than 170 persons from the 16 states, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) States, “these searches were conducted at the houses and offices of the top leader and members in connection with 5 cases (RC 14/2022/ÑIA/DLI, RC 41/2022/NIA/DLI, RC 42/2022/NIA/DLI, RC 2/2022/NIA/KOC, RC 3/2022/NIA/HYD) registered by the NIA. RC 3/2022/NIA/HYD was initially registered as FIR No 141/2022 on 04/07/2022 at Nizamabad PS, Telengana against over 25 PFI cadres “.
The entire top leaders of the PFI and the Social and Democratic Party of India (SDPI) of the central and state level have been arrested and taken into custody. Many of these are academicians and legal practitioners. Without giving the minimum opportunity to speak their side, the entire leadership has been put under the ‘UAPA’–a tested model of silencing the opposition opinion for an indefinite period.
Altogather eight organizations have been banned for five years! The NIA is not giving any reason of banning for five years also.
It may be pointed here that such a past accusations against the PFI proved wrong. In view of above, the Ganatantrik Adhikar Suraskha Sangathan, Odisha demands;
- A) Revoke the ban orders and engage with proper dialogues
- B) Release all the arrested persons immediately.
- C) Repeal the unconstitutional law “UAPA”
- D) Restore the federal structure of the country.
Deba Ranjan, General Secretary
Dr. Goak Bihari Nath, President
Email: [email protected]
