CPI(M), CPI(M-L) leaders depose before tribunal

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, DEC. 2. The CPI(M) State general secretary, Mr. B.V. Raghavulu, has accused the police of handling protesters of the Opposition parties in a ``inhuman and brutal'' manner during the anti-power hike protest rally at Basheerbagh on August 28.

Deposing before the two-member People's Human Rights Tribunal, which is holding an enquiry into the police firing and lathicharge on the Opposition protest rally here on Saturday, Mr. Raghavulu said women protesters were particularly treated very harshly. Efforts were not even made to arrest the protesters before force was used against them, he alleged.

Narrating the sequence of events in his statement before the Tribunal, the CPI(M) leader charged the police of resorting to lathicharge and later, firing without any warning. He pointed out that neither the Government conducted any probe or paid compensation to the victims of firing.

The three-day hearing was being conducted by the tribunal consisting of Mr. Justice H.G. Balakrishna, former judge of the Karnataka High Court, and Mr. Justice Malay Sengupta, former judge of the Calcutta High Court and Acting Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court. They were being assisted by Mr. K. Balagopal, Secretary, Indian People's Human Rights Commission.

There were 26 witnesses listed for the hearing and general public who were at the scene of the incident could depose before the commission. The City Police Commissioner, Mr. S.R. Sukumara, has also been issued a notice to appear before the tribunal.

The judges questioned Mr. Raghavulu on the nature of agitation, when it was launched and whether there were any violent incidents preceding the Basheerbagh firing. The CPI(M) leader said repressive measures were undertaken in several districts when ``peaceful demonstrations'' were being conducted.

The second person to depose was Mr. Venkatramaiah of the CPI-ML (New Democracy). To specific queries by tribunal members, he stated that the protesters began throwing stones only when the police used ``unprovoked'' force.

Where did the stones come from? ``From the roadside,'' was the reply. No policemen were injured in the stone-pelting, he said. He also claimed that 25 persons were injured in firing and ``all of them above waist.'' Mr. Balakrishna pointed out that one activist had an injury on the knee. The hearing continued till evening with another MLA Mr. G. Narasiah, also slated to depose later during the day.

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Section  : Southern States
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