Anivar Aravind brings to your notice an urgent appeal from Kashipur Solidarity Group which is agitating for the release of Saroj Mohanty, ‘poet and long-time activist with Prakrutik Sampad Surakhya Parishad (PSSP), which has over 15 years been opposing the entry of large bauxite mining companies in Kashipur’:

The charges against him are completely fabricated but serious. These charges include section 395 of the IPC (Dacoity), section 397 (Robbery or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grevious hurt), and section 450 (House tresspass with intention to commit offence that is punishable with imprisonment for life).

These absurd charges against Saroj stem from attempts in late 2004 by the mining company UAIL and the Orissa government hell-bent on pushing the project for bauxite mining through to undermine the resistance to the project by slapping false cases on the leadership and mass base of PSSP.

Dacoity? Reminds me of the arrest of a CPI leader recently in Andhra Pradesh for ‘treason’!