Governor urged to intervene in arrest of agitating farmers

BHUBANESWAR: Representatives of different organisations on Thursday urged Governor SC Jamir to intervene in the issue of arrest of agitating farmers, who had blocked Chief Minister’s way to the State Secretariat on Tuesday demanding pension to farmers.

Representatives like Preeti Nayak of Milita Odisha Nisha Nibarana Abhiyan (MONNA), Debiprasad Prusti of Utkal Bikash Juba Parishad, Malaya Tripathy of India Against Corruption (IAC), Dr Avinna Hota of world human rights protection association (WHRPA), Kanhucharan Behura of Adarsha Odisha Foundation and Nishikanta Mohapatra of Aam Admi Party (AAP) condemned the arrest of protesters.

Citing the example of former Governor Assaf Alli and his wife Aruna Assaf Alli, the representatives said how the Governor had dealt the issue when students led by former Lok Sabha speaker Rabi Ray staged demonstration in front of Alli’s car. Surprisingly, Governor’s wife Aruna could come out of Alli’s car and had joined with the protesters shouting slogans. The Governor did not order for arrest of the students, rather discussed the problem in a charming face in a friendly environment.

The activists also gave example of AAP leader and would be Chief Minister of Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, who refused for Government security and VIP culture. “Will the Chief Minister learn from these leaders,” questioned the activists.

“The arrested members of the Naba Nirmana Krushaka Sangathan (NNKS) have been continuing their fight for price, prestige and pension for farmers in the State,” said the representatives, adding, “But the State Government is trying to shut their mouth by attaching criminal sections in the case.”