As many as 28 civil society groups here on Friday vented their concern over the “illegal” detention, arrest of leaders of various organisations sitting on dharnas at the lower PMG here in support of their legitimate demands and forwarding them to jail on false cases registered by police.
“Individuals and social organisations usually hold rallies, dharnas and demonstration at MG Marg in front of the Assembly to highlight their problems and grievances for redressal. Instead of giving them security, police are found to be very aggressive and violent taking retrograde steps to subvert and suppress their movements,” said Civil Society Groups convener and RTI activist Pradip Pradhan at a Press conference.
The society members condemned the action against Class-IV employees of the Infosys company as police detained and forwarded them to jail during their demonstration. Similarly, Gaon Sathi leaders were arrested and jailed, they pointed out.
They also discussed about the problems faced by representatives of various organisations sitting on dharnas like police torture, misbehaviour and threats by the police.
Bidulata Mallick, advocate Sudhir Mohanty, Pratap Sahu, Sanjukta Panigrahi, Sachikanta Pradhan and Sanjay Sahoo were present among others.
“We would stage a dharna in front of the Governor’s House on December 14 protesting against the unruly behaviour of police,” informed Pradhan.