Police Proposes BAN on CMAS

=============================================================
This article has been sent to you by koraputonline ( koraputonline@gmail.com )
=============================================================
Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/12/07/stories/2009120753520300.htm)
Other States
-
Orissa
  




Staff Reporter

They accuse the organisation of having links with Maoists
BERHAMPUR: The Orissa police have urged the State government to ban the organisation Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) which is active in Koraput district for its alleged Maoist links and violent activities.
Meanwhile, a group of social activists, led by Medha Patkar approached Governor Muralidhar Chandrakant Bhandare on Sunday in Bhubaneswar in support of the CMAS and its leader Nachika Linga, who is wanted by the police. This team included Praful Samantra of Lokshakti Abhiyan, Bhala Chandra Sarangi of CPI-ML (New Democracy), Lingaraj Pradhan of Paschima Orissa Krushak Sangham etc.
Speaking to The Hindu, the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of police, south-west range, Sanjeev Panda, said they have recommended the State government to ban the CMAS for maintenance of law and order in Koraput especially in the violence-prone Naraynpatna block. The police department has alleged that CMAS activities have the backing of Maoists and its activists are involved in a series of violent cases. The chief of CMAS, Linga, was having 37 cases of violence pending against him. It may be noted that recently the Koraput Superintendent of Police (SP), Deepak Kumar Chouhan, alleged that Mr. Linga had taken shelter among the Maoists.
But the delegation of social activists that met the Governor termed CMAS and Mr. Linga to be democratic activists who were fighting for land rights of tribals. They also denied allegations of Maoist links of the CMAS. The members of the delegation claimed that the police were trying to annihilate Mr. Linga by branding him a naxalite.

Probe sought
Ms. Patkar urged the Governor to make an independent inquiry about the situation in Narayanpatna block through a personal visit or through personal envoy. Mr. Samantra said oppressive action of the police against the ‘democratic’ organisation like CMAS would create a void that would provide scope to the Maoists to increase their base in Narayanpatna block. It may be noted that Narayanpatna block in Koraput district remains tense since the CMAS, led by Mr. Linga, used violent means to oppose alleged tribal land grabbing by non-tribals and large scale illicit liquor trading.


Copyright: 1995 - 2006 The Hindu
Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly
prohibited without the consent of The Hindu