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Academics condemn Muthanga incident

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI MARCH 2. Several Delhi-based academics today said the Kerala Government's ``ghastly and uncivilised'' response to the Adivasi movement in Wayanad was ``reminiscent of State violence against other extremely-marginalised ethnic minorities in India''.

In an open appeal to the Kerala Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, the signatories noted that such ``unparalleled repression against the most marginalised ethnic minority of Kerala for daring to demand their basic democratic rights for land and livelihood'' brought shame to a State which claimed much for its democratic achievements.

Describing the occupation of the wildlife sanctuary in Muthanga by the Adivasi Gothra Samiti as a ``landmark phase in the Adivasi people's movement led by C.K. Janu'', the academics accused the Antony Government of reneging on its promise made to the tribals in September 2001.

Expressing concern over the condition of those in hospital and in prison, they asserted that the Government should honour the terms of the earlier agreement, and order a judicial inquiry into the incident to examine the role and conduct of the police and forest officials.

They have demanded that all the arrested leaders be treated as political prisoners and given access to available legal avenues, and physical safety of all detainees lodged in various local police stations be ensured.

The signatories are Prabhat Patnaik, Aijaz Ahmed, Manoranjan Mohanty, Praful Bidwai, Nivedita Menon, Sabyasachi Battacharya, Susan Viswanathan, Dilip Menon and Udaya Kumar.

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