CMAS to hold demonstrations all over State

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/11/24/stories/2009112451100300.htm)
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CMAS to hold demonstrations all over State


Staff Reporter
BERHAMPUR: Protest demonstrations will be staged all over the State on Saturday against the police firing at Narayanpatna in Koraput district in which two Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) activists were killed. This was decided at a rally held at Podapadar village of Narayanpatna block for the funeral of the two activists of the CMAS on Monday. The funeral of the CMAS activists -- Wadeka Singanna and Andrew Nachika -- was held amidst tight security. They died in police firing. Police alleged they had resorted to firing to avert arms loot by CMAS activists who broke through the locked gates of Narayanpatna police station. But the CMAS activists claimed they held a peaceful demonstration in front of the police station.
Around 40 platoons of police force were deployed in and around Narayanpatna block on Monday to avoid untoward incidents during the funeral of the killed CMAS activists. All vehicles entering the area were thoroughly checked.
Some 2,000 CMAS activists took part in the funeral with red flags in their hands. A rally and a public meeting were also held at Podapadar. The leader of the CMAS, Nachika Linga, who is wanted by the police, also appeared at the rally. But no efforts were made to arrest him. Apart from him, Bhala Chandra Sarangi of CPI-ML (New Democracy), Budha Gamang of tribal organisation Lok Sangram Manch (LSM), Sibaram of CPI-ML (Red flag), Tripati Gamang of CPI-ML (Liberation), Tapan Mishra of CMAS, Prafulla Samantra of Lokshakti Abhiyan, Dandapani Mohanty of Orissa Forest Mazdoor Union (OFMU) addressed the public meeting at Podapadar. Social activists from adjoining Andhra Pradesh like the State secretary of Andhra unit of AIKMS, K. Krishna Murty also came down to attend the rally.
They blamed the police force for the firing which according to them was a deliberate attempt to target the CMAS leaders. They decided to observe protest day on Saturday. On that day different organisations would take up different modes of protest like dharna and road blockade in different parts of the State.

Measures sought
They also demanded immediate measures like a mobile medical team for the treatment of the persons who were injured in the police firing. At least nine persons are suspected to have received bullet injuries on that day. The injured are not coming out for treatment to Narayanpatna Primary Health Centre (PHC) fearing arrest. Now they are being treated by Disaris, the traditional tribal healers.


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