Over 35 women civil rights activists from various organisations such as Chaitanya Mahila Sangam (CMS), Progressive Organisation for Women, Mahila Chetna and AIDWA, were arrested by the police, here on Wednesday.
The activists were arrested after they staged a dharna at the Gandhi statue near GVMC office and clashed with groups of another set of protesting Adivasis.
The members of CMS have been protesting for last two months after their names and photographs were printed in posters and flexies, branding them a Maoists sympathisers.
CMS president Lalitha and general secretary Annapurna said three posters were released so far in the name of ‘Vidyarthini Chaitanya Sangham’, ‘Adivasi Vidyarthini Chaitanya Sangham’ and ‘Adivasi Vidyarthi Sangham’.
There was mild tension when members of women organisations pulled down and burnt the flexies and banners depicting them as Maoist sympathisers that were set-up at the venue by the adivasis.
The arrested activists were released later in the evening.
