NIA issues notices to 180 adivasi activists, says activist

Visakhapatnam: Activists from various mass organisations under the banner of UAPA Raddhu Porata Committee demanded withdrawal of cases under UAPA against 180 Adivasis of Peda Bayulu mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district. The NIA had issued notices to the Adivasis recently.

Member of the committee and general secretary of IFTU, M Venkateswarulu, said it was an irony that on the one hand, Prime Minister Modi and chief minister Jagan unveiled the statue of Allurui Seetharama Raju, and on the other, cases are booked against Adivasis under draconian UAPA for opposing the government policies and fighting for their rights.

“The intention of the government is very clear. They want no opposition when they resume mining of bauxite and start exploitation of the forest wealth,’’ Venkateswarulu told DC. He strongly condemned the arrest of the lawyers and HRF activists trying to get relief for the Adivasi leaders.

Representative of Human Rights Forum VS Krishna said NIA and the police targeted the HRF activists for its role in bringing justice to the rape victims of Vakapalli, Alluri distict.

It may be recalled that a court in Chhattisgarh on Friday last acquitted 121 tribals booked under UAPA for allegedly assisting Maoists in the 2017 Burkapal attack. They were released on Saturday after they spent five years in jail.