Maoist D Keshav Rao alias Azad, lodged in the Jharpada jail here since 2011, along with six others, on Saturday began an indefinite hunger strike seeking speedy trial of their cases and their recognition as political prisoners.
This is Azad’s fourth fast in the jail in the last five years.
Though his mother and brother came to the jail to meet him, the jail authorities denied permission to them for it citing jail manuals.
Azad has submitted a five-point charter of demands to the State Government. The demands are speedy trial, stooping of lodging of fresh charges, commencement of trial within three to six months’ of arrest, provision of political prisoner status and refraining from re-arrest when acquitted by a court or out on bail.
Sources said 12 inmates of various jails across the State have lent their support to Azad’s cause.
Azad, belonging to Nalla Boddulur in Srikakulam district, had surrendered before the then Andhra Pradesh DGP Arvinda Rao in Hyderabad on May 18, 2011 after leading a Maoist life for 19 years. However, he was arrested on May 28 after nine days’ interrogation by a joint team of AP and Odisha police.
Interestingly, Azad was arrested by the Odisha police in connection with the murder of Swami laxmanananda and Nayagarh Armoury loot case. But the AP Government had given him `10 lakh as part of its rehabilitation policy.