Civil rights organisations condemned the ‘illegal detention’ of G.N. Saibaba of Delhi University by the Maharashtra police and demanded his immediate and unconditional release.
Members of Civil Liberties Committee, Progressive Democratic Women, Committee for Release of Political Prisoners, Amara Bandula Mitrula Committee and Telangana Praja Front staged a dharna near Ambedkar statue at lower Tank Bund here on Saturday to protest against the arrest of Prof. Saibaba.
Later, speaking to presspersons, they criticised the police for arresting the wheel-bound professor without informing his family members.
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He was whisked away when he had gone to the university for spot valuation duty for his alleged links with the Maoists.
“Police gave a go-by to the Supreme Court directives about informing the family members and allowing consultation with a lawyer before arrest,” said Bhojja Tarkarama of the Republican Party of India.
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Prof. Saibaba’s mother, Suryavati, said she had no knowledge about the whereabouts of her son. Being physically-challenged, he needs assistance. “How will he manage in jail?” she wondered in a choked voice.
Ch. Prabhakar of Telagana Praja Front said the professor was targeted for working for Adivasi rights and demanding a halt to the Operation Green Hunt.
“How can he go into the jungle and have links with Maoists when he can’t even walk,” said Ravichandra of Virasam.
Many like Padma Kumari of Amara Badula Mitrula Committee saw a threat to the life of Prof. Saibaba who was also the deputy secretary of the Revolutionary Democratic Front.
In a statement, Gade Diwakar, secretary, CPI (ML) New Democracy, State Committee, also condemned the arrest of Prof. Saibaba and demanded his immediate release.