Manhandled the Journalist : Memorandum to Governor of Odisha

We the members of Odisha civil society are deeply disturbed on account of the growing incidence of violence in Government  educational  institutions 

particularly Universities and Colleges our State.

The very sad figures adds when a govt. officer acts as an agent of the ruling party of the State and intervene in the state affairs of a college, further increases the violence in the premises.

In recent past the cases happened in the different govt. colleges or universities like Utkal University, BJB College, Revenshaw Autonomous College, MPC Autonomous College, Mayurbhanj etc. Few days back in Bhawanipatna College’s golden jubilee foundation day, a national repute journalist of the state Mr Chandra Mishra who was the chief speaker of the d-day was being humiliated or manhandled by the collector of the Kalahandi Mrs Rupa Mishra where the chief minister was the silent spectator who didn’t pay heeds the incident. The matter aggravated, the whole students including lecturers and inhabitants of the Kalahandi district blocked the road, boycotted the examination and demonstrated in many places to transfer the said authority.

The college is now the testing ground of the different political parties particularly the ruling party is trying to interfere in college election which goes against the judgment of Lyngdo commission.

Excellency, we urge upon you to bring these to the notice to you for urgent and immediate action that ….

1.     Order to stop use of political activities in the educational premises

2.     Suspend the govt. officials who found to be guilty by abusing his/her legitimate power.

3.     Impartial investigate the matter which defame the dignity of a journalist as violates his fundamental rights.

4.     Strictly follow the order of Lyngdo commission regarding the election procedure of colleges.

5.     Symbolic action should be initiated against the said political parties found in interfering the matters of govt. colleges.

                  On behalf of Save Odisha Forum

     

                                            

Human Rights Commissions' Intervention Sought in Custodial Death

To

The Chairperson

Orissa Human Rights Commission

Toshali Plaza, Satya Nagar

Bhubaneswar

Sub: Investigate the custodial death and action taken against the accused police personnel

Hon’ble Sir,

                        The petition is filed before you in connection of news published in Daily Samaj Newspaper on dated 2^nd March 2011 regarding a custodial death occurred in Chamakhandi Police station of Ganjam district in Odisha.

The victim named Lalit Dehuri of Chandrapur village in Rayagada district, Odisha arrested by Ganjam police by alleging connection with Maoist from Daspalla area of Nayagarh District. It is said that the alleged victim arrested before 20 days ago without registering in the record of police dairy. The police falsely told the victim name is Rajendra Nayak aged 26 of Rambha, Ganjam district.

According to the police sources, on 1^st March 2011 at 9 am the victim was trying to take suicidal attempt by tearing a piece of blanket in the custody. The sub- Inspector Mr. Raghab Gouda rescued him and informed Inspector in charge Mr. Sisir Mishra then sent to hospital at Chatrapur where he died.

But the very sources come to know, the victim has died by severe beating in police custody which proper investigation is expected. Also the relatives of victim accused that investigation should be initiated against illegal detention and custodial death. Therefore, following points to be taken into consideration while doing your impartial investigation -

1.      Proper investigate about the illegal arrest and detention which the police does not follow the D.K Basu guidelines.

2.      Produce the person Lalit Dehiri which police claimed as Rajendra Nayak.

3.      Proper investigate the death which police refused to accept as custodial death.

4.      Properly compensate the families of diseased person by the State Govt.

5.      Criminal proceeding should be initiated against the accused police personal through proper legal intervention.

              Yours faithfully

          Date   : 03.03.2011

          Place  : Bhubaneswar                                                     Manoj Jena

                                                                                   

 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).