Maoist sympathiser and revolutionary poet Varavara Rao on Wednesday stopped short of giving an ultimatum to the Orissa government to release “human rights activists” like Ganti Prasadam, Gananath Patra and Ashutosh Sen and nearly 600 tribal farmers currently lodged in various jails in the state by June 30 or face imminent revolt.
“We met chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday evening and told him to honour his words on dropping cases lodged against innocent tribals and release them along with tribal rights activists who have been thrown into prison cells on false charges. The chief minister assured us to initiate steps in this regard. If the government fails to act by June 30, the tribals would decide their own alternative,” Mr Rao warned.
He added that the government should expedite the legal process for early release of innocent people who have been framed as Maoist activists. Chief secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik, while reacting to Mr Rao’s remarks, said the state government had already reviewed cases against tribals.
“Nine cases where 168 tribals are accused are being processed for withdrawal of prosecution. Besides, 55 other minor offences against tribals are also being considered for withdrawal.” Mr Patnaik said, adding the process was likely to be completed by end of June.
Mr Rao along with Professor G. Hargopal and Mr Dandapani Mohanty, the interlocutors who facilitated release of former Malkangiri collector R. Vineel Krishna from the Maoists in March, met the Orissa chief minister on Tuesday and held detailed discussions on the 14 conditions of the rebels the government had agreed to fulfill.
During the discussion on Tuesday, the state government informed the interlocutors that it had constituted a committee headed by chief administrator of KBK region to look into tribal land dispute and suggest means to restore tribal land, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said.
Before leaving Orissa, Mr Rao and Professor Hargopal went to Jharpara circle jail here and met “Maoist” sympathizers Gananath Patra, Motilal Soren alias Ashutosh Sen and Subhashree Panda, wife of Orissa’s top Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda.
Meanwhile, the Orissa police on Wednesday seized nearly 2.5 quintals of explosives from Nayaranpatna forest in Koraput district.