Expressing deep concern over “undemocratic” attitude of the government towards rights of Adivasis and others, the Committee against Operation Green Hunt Andhra Pradesh has demanded that the government stop Green Hunt operation, withdraw paramilitary forces, scrapping of MoUs and protection of constitutional right of Freedom of Speech and Assembly.
Speaking to media persons here on Tuesday, social activist B D Sharma, IAS (Retd), Vara Vara Rao of ‘Virasam’, well-known educationist Dr Chukka Ramaiah and APCLC leader V. Raghunath said more than 44,000 Adivasis have migrated from Chhatisgarh to Andhra Pradesh border districts of Khammam, Warangal and Karimnagar. While their conditions were very pathetic and miserable, the State and Union governments launched Green Hunt Operation causing serious violation of Human Rights and displacement of Adivasis from their right to land and enjoyment of natural resources.
They also complained that paramilitary forces were blatantly indulging in extra-judicial killings and rapes of hapless Adivasi women. They also deplored that the government entered into MoUs with the multinational companies to take over rich minerals, which is against the law laid down by the Supreme Court.
They said that the Committee against Operation Green Hunt was constituted with over 45 organisations in the State to focus the plight of the tribals and to organize a public meeting at Cherla in Khammam district. Surprisingly, the government denied permission to hold the meeting with a vague and baseless reason that Maoists have already released posters to make the public meeting a success and the speakers may deliver inflammatory speeches causing law and order problem, they added.
They said that though they approached the High Court to direct the government to accord permission for the public meeting, the latter upheld the government contention and dismissed the writ petition, which is totally against the spirit of Constitution. “The judiciary should not have relied upon the police version rather protect the right of the citizens for their Freedom of Speech and Assembly,” they added.
Stating that when the State and its Executive do not respect the constitutional rights or rule of law, the courts should step in to protect the rights, they appealed to the citizens to wage a struggle against undemocratic and fascist acts of the State and its agencies and the attitude of the judiciary in failing to protect the rights and constitutional aspirations of the people. (NSS)