Police arresting innocent citizens and activists under operation Greenhunt

Police in Chhatisgarh is arresting innocent citizens especially dalits and tribals, and activists under the operation Greenhunt by declaring them naxals. This was brought to light in the MP State level Convention of All India Secular Forum (AISF), held at Bhopal recently. In the forum the present situation of the country was discussed, “which is fraught with communalism, regionalism, naxalism, violence and gross violation of human rights. Even parallels were drawn in the instances of violence perpetuated in India against its minorities especially the women, to that carried out in Bosnia and Rwanda. Deliberations were carried out on the Communal Violence Bill as well.
Speaking on the occasion, Irfan Engineer spoke about discrimination faced by the Christians in Odisha and the people’s tribunal established there. He also talked of denial of citizenship rights to Muslims in Assam under the pretext that they can be Bangladeshi migrants.
Ram Puniyani explained the violation of human rights in the context of communalism where Muslims are targeted and labeled as terrorists. Likewise, the Christians are targeted because they are believed to be converting Hindus to Christianity. Imperialism and identity politics are marginalizing these groups further, he said.
Puniyani also cited the trend that communal violence consolidates the regime of communal parties in the state. The example of this is BJP. The BJP regime also saw saffronizaion of textbooks and education in a fascist manner.
Mr. Damle said that even today the police is not filing cases brought up by Dalits under the Atrocities act. Instead less severe charge under the IPC is filed to protect the perpetrators of violence against the dalits. He also highlighted the injustice carried out against the tribals and dalits in naxal affected areas where the state is trying to grab the land for mining.
Jayant Verma from Jabalpur condemned the action of the Chhatisgarh government which is making arbitrary arrests to persecute dalit and tribal activists as naxals. He also linked the operation Greenhunt to the politics of mining minerals.
Irfan Engineer informed the participants of the Sadbhavana Yatra that’s going to take place from Ayodhya to Wardha between 2nd to 11th October this year. He explained the rationale behind the yatra and asked for active participation.