A group of cultural and human rights activists has urged the government to scrap the sedition charges as well as provisions under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act against Kannur-based activist P. Lukman.
K. Satchidanandan, B.R.P. Bhaskar, Meena Kandasamy, J. Devika and P.K. Pokker, among others, have also launched a signature campaign in his support.
They claimed that Mr. Lukman, a native of Iritti in Kannur district, had only put up posters seeking action against the police personnel involved in the “staged encounter” in which suspected Maoist leader C.P. Jaleel was killed at Vythiri in Wayanad recently.
Thunderbolt’s role
The posters had also sought the disbandment of the Thunderbolt commando group, citing their involvement in the alleged encounter. The activists pointed out that doubts still remained about the police version on the alleged encounter. The government was duty-bound to conduct an inquiry into the incident as per the guidelines stipulated by the Supreme Court in the PUCL v/s the State of Maharashtra case in 2014.
It was the right of citizens to ask the government to conduct an inquiry and Mr. Lukman had only exercised his right, they said.
The activists pointed out that frequent reports of encounter deaths in Kerala and the violation of the Supreme Court guidelines had set a dangerous precedent.
Mr. Lukman was taken into custody by the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Iritti, on March 19 and charges under Section 124 (A) and 153 (A) of the Indian Penal Code and UAPA were framed against him later.
‘Two assaulted’
C.P. Rasheed, brother of Jaleel, and a functionary of the Janakeeya Manushyavakasha Prasthanam, told The Hindu on Monday that the police had also assaulted two associates of Mr. Lukman when they reached the Aralam police station to inquire about his arrest.
Pointing out that Mr. Lukman had been actively working among the tribespeople in Aralam for the past two decades, Mr. Rasheed said that he had just highlighted the apex court guidelines.
“The government had earlier promised us that cases would not be registered under UAPA for putting up posters. They have not kept their word,” he alleged.
Meanwhile, a group of organisations is planning to march to the office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Iritti, on Tuesday, to protest against the “false charges” framed against Mr. Lukman.
