TSCLC condemns NIA raids and arrest of civil rights leaders

Hyderabad: The Telangana Civil  Liberties Committee (TSCLC) condemned the raids conducted by the National Investigation Agency in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and the arrest of civil liberties activists in Hyderabad. Raids were conducted at the premises of PKM, KNPS, and CLC  leaders on Monday. A simultaneous search operation was carried out from 6 a.m. at the houses of civil rights activists in Vidhyanagar, Subash Nagar, Alwal, Shadnagar, and other districts of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, said TSCLC state president, Professor Gaddam Laxman.

Houses of ABMS leaders- Virasam Nayak, in Sagar Bhavani, Subhash Nagar, Alwal. G.Ranchander Praja PKM leaders Shad Nagar, Hyderabad Shanthakka, Adv. Suresh, National Secretary, IAPL, Vidyanagar, Hyderabad, and other leaders from IAPL, PKM KNPS in Warangal and Andhra Pradesh were also raided, Laxman said.

"TSCLC  strongly condemns the searches and demands that these illegal raids should be stopped immediately. We are ready to face injustice from the government. But without serving prior notices under 41 CRPC for searches, the government is using NIA as a weapon to act against on the civil rights activists who have been working for the betterment of society, Laxman said.

"What the government is doing is completely against democracy, the government should ban the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Amendment Act, 2019 (UAPA), which is being used as a weapon against civil liberties leaders and representatives. So far 7,000 cases have been registered against civil liberties activists in the state, but the conviction rate is only one percent which proves that injustice is being done to the civil leaders. The government should realize and stop using police as a weapon against our leaders not only in Telangana but also in AP, and other states,  Laxman demanded.