Maharashtra Police reiterates rights activists plotted to overthrow government
Mumbai, Aug 31 : Justifying the arrest of five rights activists, Maharashtra's Additional Director-General of Police Parambir Singh on Friday said police have clear evidence to show their links with Maoist organisations and a larger conspiracy to overthrow the central government.
Addressing a special media briefing here, ADG Singh (law and order), exhibited certain emails, letters and other communication allegedly changing hands among the activists, whose arrests three days ago from different parts of India triggered nationwide condemnation.
"There was a bigger conspiracy plotted by the Maoist organisations to overthrow the 'lawfully established Indian government' using arms procured from countries like China and Russia and the arrested accused played a crucial role in this plan," Singh said.
On August 28, Pune Police had carried out the arrests of lawyer-activist Sudha Bharadwaj, civil liberties activists Gautam Navlakha, Vernon Gonsalves, Arun Fereira and Telugu poet P. Varavara Rao from different parts of India, as part of investigations into the January 1 Koregaon-Bhima caste riots.
Singh revealed that the five activists were in contact with separatist and extremist groups from Jammu and Kashmir and Manipur, wanted to emulate stone-pelting protests akin to Kashmir in other parts of India including urban areas and conducting meetings abroad with other groups in a bid to organise funds.
Citing that conclusive evidence was collected which establishes their links with Maoists before making the arrests, he mentioned a letter speaking of a "Rajiv Gandhi-type incident" to end the Modi Raj, and need for Rs 8 crore to procure a rocket launcher and 400,000 rounds, among other things.
On August 29, Pune's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Shirish Sardeshpande had said that the banned CPI (Maoist) was engaged in raising funds to incite civil unrest against the administration.
"They have shown intolerance to the present political system, and decided to target organisations and their officials and even the highest political functionaries," Sardesphande said in the first official comments on the August 28 swoop.
The arrests were made on a complaint lodged with Vishramgarh Police in Pune on January 8 on the December 31 Elgar Parishad, organised by the Kabir Kala Manch where allegedly inciting speeches were delivered.
The following day (January 1), Koregaon-Bhima witnessed huge protests and caste riots in which one person was killed, followed by a Maharashtra shutdown on January 3, called by the Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh.
Singh said that despite the 'propaganda' to discredit the police probe, the investigators have a very strong case and all the arrests were videographed.
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Haven't rapes taken place during BJP regime, asks CM Siddaramaiah
Bengaluru/Belagavi (PTI): Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday wondered whether there were no rapes during the BJP regime.
He was reacting to BJP's allegation about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state in the wake of a woman raped at KR Market in Bengaluru on Sunday night.
The victim who was waiting for a bus to Yelahanka was allegedly raped by two men. Police have arrested two people in this connection.
"The incident happened in SJ Park. The complaint pertains to extortion and sexual assault. Two people have been arrested," Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda told reporters here in Bengaluru.
Reacting to BJP's charges in this regard while speaking to reporters in Belagavi, Siddaramaiah asked "Haven't rapes taken place during the BJP regime?"
He said that rapes should not happen and women should be protected.
"Anti-social elements in the society do such things. We will take stringent action against them," the Chief Minister added.
The BJP on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Home Minister G Parameshwara claiming that the cases of crimes such as robbery, murder, rapes and atrocities on the weaker sections of the society have suddenly increased.
