Kodagu Police allegedly detain Kerala-based journalist reporting on tribal issues
Allegations of detention without following legal procedures; Investigation underway
Virajpet: In an incident from Virajpet in Kodagu district, a Kerala-based journalist, Rijaz, has claimed that police detained him without following legal procedures and subjected him to an investigation. Rijaz made these serious allegations on social media on Wednesday evening.
Rijaz, who was traveling on a bus with tribals to their settlement, claimed that three police officers in a private car stopped the bus in a remote area and asked him to come with them without showing any warrant.
After a few minutes of argument, the police allegedly forced him into the car and took him to the Virajpet police station for questioning, as stated by the journalist on his Instagram story.
After the investigation was completed, the police released him.
Upon his release, Rijaz shared on Instagram, “Just now I got out of station. Adivasis came to station. Circle Inspector Anoop interrogated me in presence of other 4 officers. He said that since yesterday evening, he had received many calls from superiors and informants claiming that an urban Naxal from Kochi had come to Karnataka to organize. During the interrogation, I told him that I was here to report on the violence faced by Adivasi laborers at the hands of dominant caste employers. When asked why someone from Kerala was here, I replied that since mainstream media weren't reporting on the issue, I had volunteered to come and report on it. During our conversation about the delayed government relief for Adivasis, I quoted, "Justice delayed is justice denied." The inspector responded by saying that i'm speaking like a Naxal. He also mentioned that there's a case against me in Delhi, which I wasn't aware of,” said Rijaz.
Rijaz further alleged that Suresh Bilgeri, a journalist from Times Now, is among those opposing him.
Rijaz also mentioned in another post, “The problem is not of my freedom being violated and me being red tagged. The problem is Adivasi labourers not being allowed to meet anyone from outside.”
The Adivasi Sangarsha Samiti Morcha organized a protest in front of the Taluk office in Virajpet on Wednesday, demanding a 20 lakh rupees compensation for the family of the late Pani Eravara Ponnanna, who was killed in a brutal attack. The committee also called for government employment for his wife. Rijaz was in Karnataka to report on this protest.
Reacting to the allegations, Circle Inspector Anoop of Virajpet stated, “It is true that we questioned Rijaz to understand the identity of an outsider. The allegations made by him and his social media posts have been brought to the attention of senior officials,” he informed.
On December 27th, Pani Eravara Ponnanna, a tribal worker, was shot and killed by the owner of a plantation while he was with his wife in the nearby field.
In response, the Adivasi Sangarsha Samiti Morcha held a protest in front of the Taluk office, condemning the inhuman act and demanding justice. The committee also raised concerns about the severe living conditions of the tribal workers who have been deprived of basic facilities, education, healthcare, and decent employment.
They urged the government to take serious measures to address these issues, provide proper compensation to the family, and ensure the speedy completion of the investigation into the murder. The committee also emphasised that the government should take action against the atrocities faced by the tribal community.
In response to the petition, Virajpet Taluk Tahsildar Ramachandra Mathanadi assured, "We stand with you. The accused will certainly be punished under the law. A compensation of 8.25 lakh rupees has been approved, and half of it will be given to the wife and the mother of the deceased. The wife, who is under 18, will receive a government job after she turns 18. The Welfare Department will provide the necessary facilities for the Scheduled Tribes. Arrangements have been made for the deceased's brother to receive education at a residential school. The petition will be forwarded to the government through the Deputy Commissioner."
AICC-TCU State President Appanna, State Committee Vice-President K.E. Mohan, State General Secretary Clifton Rozario, District Secretary Gauri, District Joint Secretary Bolka Appanna, District Committee Member Gappu, and District President of the Dakshina Kannada chapter Ramanna Vitla spoke at the event, addressing the protesters. Virajpet Taluk President M.K. Mohan and others were also present.
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'Rear-guard action': BJP over Mamata accepting sports minister's resignation after Messi event
New Delhi (PTI): The BJP on Tuesday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's accepting Aroop Biswas' resignation as the state sports minister is nothing but a "rear-guard action" to douse public anger over the mismanagement of football icon Lionel Messi's event last week.
BJP co-in-charge for West Bengal Amit Malviya alleged that this is also an "open confession" that the Messi event fiasco was not accidental but a government-manufactured disaster, borne out of the poor governance of Banerjee, her ministers and the state bureaucracy.
Banerjee on Tuesday accepted Biswas' resignation as the sports minister in the wake of the controversy over the mismanagement of football icon Messi's event last week, a senior leader of the ruling TMC said.
Biswas, who had written to the chief minister seeking to be relieved of his responsibilities as sports minister, will continue as a cabinet minister, retaining charge of the power department.
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Reacting to the development, Malviya said in a post on X, "TMC Sports Minister Aroop Biswas resigns after the Messi fiasco and Mamata Banerjee accepts it in record time."
"Do not mistake this for accountability; this is nothing but a rear-guard action to douse public anger. anger! This is not 'Raj Dharma'," he added.
The BJP leader alleged that the incident was the outcome of "loot" of common people which is "so synonymous" with the TMC.
The incident was also the outcome of the "shameless VIP culture that TMC thrives on and deep-rooted cronyism promoted by Banerjee," he charged.
Malviya further alleged that Biswas' resignation exposes a "collective failure of Mamata Banerjee, her partisan bureaucracy, and her crony cabinet".
"This is a symbolic sacrifice, a political hoax, soon to be buried under layers of bureaucracy, with no justice, no accountability, and no remorse," the BJP leader said, adding, "No resignation will bring back the time lost, the money wasted, or the stolen chance for football lovers to witness Messi in Kolkata."
