For the first time in the history of civil society, the civil society leaders and civil servants came together on a common platform to express concern about the growing violence, abduction and unrest in the state.In a unique show of strength, the civil society of Odisha put up their appeal today in the state capital for release of Malkangiri Collector R V Krishna and the Junior Engineer Mr P Majhi. They also expressed their support and solidarity with the family members of Mr Krishna and Mr  Majhi.The other two demands, the civil society put forth were a) release of innocent people languishing in jail in the name of their involvement in maoist activity and b) putting an end to the violence of any kind in the state. The fora appealed for peace and harmony to be prevailed in the state which only can ensure progress and development of Odisha.

On the call of Agami Odisha, Odisha Nagarik Samaj and Odisha Shanti and Sadvabana Abhiyan, the civil society members joined in a silent procession which started from Jayprkash Narayan Park, Master Canteen  and went to the Lower PMG where a human chain was organised followed by a brief meeting. The programme was attended by cross sections of the society which include teachers, employees, senior govt officials, activists, lawyers, Doctors, artists, singer, media persons etc. To name a few, these include Padmashree Debi Prasana Patnaik, Gandhian, Freedom Fighter and former MP Mr Bhabani Patnaik, Dr Bhagaban Prakash, President ONAS, D K Ray, President Agami Odisha, Mr U P Sing, President IAS Association and Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dept of Agriculture, S N Tripathi, Commisioner-cum-Secretary, Panchayt Raj, T Ramachandru, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Industry Dept, P K Jena, Commissiner-Cum- Secretary, Enery and IT Dept, Arati Ahuja, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Women and Child Dept, Saswat Mishra, CMD, Mining Corporation, Arvind Padhi, Diecrtor Panchayat Raj Usha Padhi, Additional Secretary, WR Dept, Manish Verma, Addl Secy, P&C Dept, Apang Aao, Director, Tourism, Bishnu Pada Sethi, Director Census, Mr Laxmikant Palit renowned singer, Mr A V Swami, Planning Board Member, Santosh Tripathy, Secretary Utkal University Teachers Assiciation, President OUAT Teachers Association, Mr Abasar Beuria, Rtd IFS,  Dhanada Kanta Mishra, Chairman HDF,Madhu Bhai, Sisr Sahoo (Ama Odisha) Manoj Jena, ONAS and so on so forth.

After reaching at the Lower PMG a human chain was organised to pledge solidarity for the civil society's appeal for release of the collector and JE and for other demands. A brief meeting was held where Mr Sudarsan Das of Agami Odisha briefed about the civil society's appeal and thanked the civil society members and common people all over the state for their spontaneous reaction and show of anguish over the recent incident of violence and unrest. Dr Bhagaban Prakash called upon the Maoist leaders to release the Collector and the JE unharmed. He also emphasised on the release of innocent people who have been detained in the name of suspected Maoists. Mr U P Sing while congratulating the civil society's move on this kind of situation, appealed for release of the Collector along with JE. Others who spoke on the occasion include Dr Debi Prasanna Patnaik, Abasar Beuria, Laiit Palit, Usha Padhi, DK Ray, Bhabani Charan Patnaik, Hota etc. The speakers emphasised on the need for an urgent dialogue between the Govt and the Militants. The participants, including civil society leaders and civil servants resolved to show such show of strength in future on other issues also.The meeting concluded with a chorus "Jai Jagat" by Madhu Bhai(Das).

On the call of Agami Odisha, Odisha Nagarik Samaj and Odisha Shanti and Sadvabana Abhiyan, the civil society members joined in a silent procession which started from Jayprkash Narayan Park, Master Canteen  and went to the Lower PMG where a human chain was organised followed by a brief meeting. The programme was attended by cross sections of the society which include teachers, employees, senior govt officials, activists, lawyers, Doctors, artists, singer, media persons etc. To name a few, these include Padmashree Debi Prasana Patnaik, Gandhian, Freedom Fighter and former MP Mr Bhabani Patnaik, Dr Bhagaban Prakash, President ONAS, D K Ray, President Agami Odisha, Mr U P Sing, President IAS Association and Commissioner-cum-Secretary Dept of Agriculture, S N Tripathi, Commisioner-cum-Secretary, Panchayt Raj, T Ramachandru, Commissioner-Cum-Secretary, Industry Dept, P K Jena, Commissiner-Cum- Secretary, Enery and IT Dept, Arati Ahuja, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Women and Child Dept, Saswat Mishra, CMD, Mining Corporation, Arvind Padhi, Diecrtor Panchayat Raj Usha Padhi, Additional Secretary, WR Dept, Manish Verma, Addl Secy, P&C Dept, Apang Aao, Director, Tourism, Bishnu Pada Sethi, Director Census, Mr Laxmikant Palit renowned singer, Mr A V Swami, Planning Board Member, Santosh Tripathy, Secretary Utkal University Teachers Assiciation, President OUAT Teachers Association, Mr Abasar Beuria, Rtd IFS,  Dhanada Kanta Mishra, Chairman HDF,Madhu Bhai, Sisr Sahoo (Ama Odisha) Manoj Jena, Member Secretary,Odisha Nagarika Samaj[ ONAS] and so on so forth. 

After reaching at the Lower PMG a human chain was organised to pledge solidarity for the civil society's appeal for release of the collector and JE and for other demands. A brief meeting was held where Mr Sudarsan Das of Agami Odisha briefed about the civil society's appeal and thanked the civil society members and common people all over the state for their spontaneous reaction and show of anguish over the recent incident of violence and unrest. Dr Bhagaban Prakash called upon the Maoist leaders to release the Collector and the JE unharmed. He also emphasised on the release of innocent people who have been detained in the name of suspected Maoists. Mr U P Sing while congratulating the civil society's move on this kind of situation, appealed for release of the Collector along with JE. Others who spoke on the occasion include Dr Debi Prasanna Patnaik, Abasar Beuria, Laiit Palit, Usha Padhi, DK Ray, Bhabani Charan Patnaik, Hota etc. The speakers emphasised on the need for an urgent dialogue between the Govt and the Militants. The participants, including civil society leaders and civil servants resolved to show such show of strength in future on other issues also.The meeting concluded with a chorus "Jai Jagat" by Madhu Bhai(Das).

Attacks on Journalist : OHRC intervention urged

Peoples Watch-Odisha and Human Rights Defender Alert India-Odisha appealed before Odisha Human Rights Commission [OHRC] today on 7^th February 2011 to intervene the incident of brutal attack on a working journalist.

Mr Rajat Ranjan Das  the  reporter of Sambad, a leading Odia daily  was being severely attacked  on 4^th February 2010 at 7.30 morning in Pipili-Nimapara squre by the chairman of Pipili NAC Saikh Babu with his colleagues Md Mujibur Reheman, Yasbant Balabant Das, councilor Pravat Sethi, Muna and others.

Earlier Mr Das has strongly written about massive corruption happened in Pipili NAC  in several times in his news paper that  might  be the cause of attack which results severe injuries in the head, hand and other parts of his body. He was taken to local govt. hospital later forwarded to Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar seeing the gravity of injuries. The perpetrators also threatened to kill by putting guns in his chest, used filthy languages, snatched Rs 12,300 collected from hawkers, three mobile hand sets, a gold chain and a wrist watch then thrown him naked.

When Pratap Barik, reporter of Anupam Bharat, Niladree Bihari Mohapatra, hawker of Sambad tried to save Rajat they were also not escaped from the attack. Later the presidents of Shideswar Business Association Mr Dhirendra Samant Ray saved him and send to hospital.

Despite FIR is being logged against the perpetrators no action has been take by Pipili police yet , the family members of the victims are also being threatened.

In article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR], 1948 states, No one shall be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

In art 12 (2) the declaration on human rights defenders adopted by UN General Assembly in 1998 states that The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present declaration.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights [ICCPR] 1966, article 19 in part III is also advocates freedom of opinion and expression.

Art 19(1) of the Indian constitution guarantees to every citizen the fundamental rights to freedom of speech and expression. 

In every case the law, rules or declaration is being violated by the perpetrator which now the concerned authorities or State is urged to act.

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