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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Agnivesh, journalist assaulted on way to burnt villages in Dantewada by Supriya Sharma

Agnivesh, journalist assaulted on way to burnt villages in Dantewada by Supriya Sharma

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published Published on Mar 26, 2011   modified Modified on Mar 26, 2011
Social activist Swami Agnivesh phoned Chhattisgarh chief minister Raman Singh, briefed him on his travel plans, and then embarked on a trip to the three villages allegedly burnt by the police in Dantewada.

But he still could not get there. Along with his co-travellers, two teachers of 'Art of Living', he was physically obstructed and abused by a crowd on Saturday morning at Dornapal town, roughly 50 kilometres short of the villages.

"He was pulled out his car, his turban dislodged, eggs were hurled at him," said an eyewitness.

A correspondent of The Indian Express, Joseph John, brought out his camera to take pictures. His camera was snatched. His mobile and laptop were also taken away (the belongings were returned later).

Eyewitnesses said special police officers in civilian clothes were present in the crowd, which also included women.

"The crowd shouted slogans 'Pagadi waale waapis jao'. (Go back, the man with the turban). They said why don't those who talk of human rights visit the area when people and policemen die in Maoist violence?," recounted a journalist. "Agnivesh tried to explain to them that he has always condemned Naxal violence, but they did not allow him to speak".

"This was a stage managed attack," said Agnivesh. He said it was apparent the police wanted to obstruct any investigation into its excesses and had propped up the demonstration.

On March 23, two newspapers, The Hindu and Patrika, published images of homes reduced to ashes in three villages, Tadmetla, Morepalli, Teemapuram. According to testimonies of villagers, special police officers burnt down nearly 300 homes, sexually assaulted three women and killed five men between March 11 and 16, coinciding with a week long security operation against the Maoists, which left three policemen dead.

Ever since reports of the rampage surfaced, the police have blocked access to the villages. On March 22, this correspondent was turned away at Chintagufa, 12 kilometres short of Tadmetla, citing security reasons, although other vehicles were allowed to pass through.

Local media outlets reported that Dantewada collector R Prasanna and Bastar Commissioner Srinivasulu too could not reach the villages and officials assigned to distribute relief were threatened by special police officers.

Despite the continuing clampdown by the police, the assault on Swami Agnivesh left many surprised, since the activist had been directly speaking with the Chief Minister himself.

Susequent to the attack, officials said Raman Singh summoned the director general of police. "He was asked to provide security to Swami ji," said N Baijendra Kumar, principal secretary and spokesperson.

Official sources accepted there were serious differences between the police and the administration. "The police feel the relief material to the villages might end up with the Maoists, but the administration does not accept this view," said an official.

The district collector had constituted a four member committee for an inquiry into the allegations against the police. Agnivesh asked how would the committee members be able to function in that environment of fear. "By arming Salwa Judum, Chhattisgarh has created a monster (special police officers). Now it is unable to control it".

The Times of India, 26 March, 2011, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Agnivesh-journalist-assaulted-on-way-to-burnt-villages-in-Dantewada/articleshow/7793726.cms


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