3 days ago
Civil Liberties Groups Demand Release of Telangana Political Prisoners
Civil liberties groups held a protest in Hyderabad on Saturday.
They asked governments to release people they describe as political prisoners.
The protesters focused on people held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, or UAPA.
They said some prisoners have been jailed for years without trial or bail.
They also said many cases were false or involved no violent acts.
The groups especially highlighted sick Adivasi prisoners and 17 Muslim prisoners in Nizamabad.
They criticized restrictions placed on some people even after they received bail.
They also objected to prison sentences that separated one woman from her young child.
The Civil Liberties Committee, Communist Party of India and activists protested in Hyderabad, demanding the release of political prisoners detained under UAPA cases.
CLC leaders alleged that 230 people were implicated in false UAPA cases during the previous BRS government and that the cases remain active under the Congress government.
Activists called for the release of 17 Muslim Popular Front of India members under trial in Nizamabad since 2022, saying they were not accused of violent acts.
CLC general secretary D. Suresh cited detainees and under-trial prisoners across several states, including lawyer Surendra Gadling, Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam.
The protesters also condemned the five-year sentences imposed on Chaitanya Mahila Sangham leaders Shilpa, Devendra and Swapna, including the separation of Swapna from her three-year-old child.
- Who
- The Civil Liberties Committee, Communist Party of India, and other activists, including CLC general secretary D. Suresh and TG-CLC president Dr Gaddam Laxman.
- What
- They demanded the release of political prisoners and criticized prolonged detention, alleged false UAPA cases, restrictions after bail, and recent prison sentences.
- Where
- Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad, Telangana; the speakers also discussed prisoners in Nizamabad and several other Indian states.
- When
- At a protest held on Saturday; the article also refers to cases and detentions dating back several years.
- Why
- The groups said prisoners were being held for years without trial or bail, in cases they alleged were false or lacked allegations of violent acts, and that detainees faced health, financial and family hardships.
Activists’ position
Government and prosecution perspective
Validity of UAPA cases
Activists’ position
The protesters alleged that many UAPA cases were false, politically motivated or not linked to violent acts, and demanded their withdrawal or the prisoners’ release.
Government and prosecution perspective
The article does not provide a response from the Telangana government, the Centre, prosecutors or courts on the allegations.
Length of detention
Activists’ position
CLC representatives criticized people being held for years without trial or bail and questioned continued litigation against activists.
Government and prosecution perspective
No opposing explanation for the prolonged proceedings or detention is given in the article.
Key facts
- Protest location
- Dharna Chowk, Hyderabad
- Main demand
- Release political prisoners detained under UAPA cases
- Telangana cases cited
- CLC leaders alleged that 230 people were implicated in false UAPA cases during the BRS government and that the cases were not withdrawn.
- Nizamabad under-trial prisoners
- 17 Popular Front of India members have been under trial since 2022 under UAPA cases, according to CLC leaders.
- States mentioned
- Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi
- Sentences criticized
- Chaitanya Mahila Sangham leaders Shilpa, Devendra and Swapna were sentenced to five years in prison, according to the report.
- Family impact cited
- Activist Suresh said Swapna was separated from her three-year-old toddler after sentencing.
Quotes
Dr Gaddam Laxman
TG-CLC president
“Even after bail, they are forced to stay away from loved ones, facing severe financial and health problems. When it is claimed the Maoist movement has ended, how is it democratic to continue harassing activists with litigation and detention?”
deccanchronicle.com
“It is necessary that we strongly demand that the Telangana government release political prisoners. Governments of other states, including Andhra Pradesh, as well as the Centre, must release political prisoners.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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