Date:22/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/22/stories/2007072252110300.htm

Other States - Orissa

Demand for release of Saroj Mohanty mounts

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: Voices demanding unconditional release of activist Saroj Mohanty grew louder with leaders of several people’s movements, human rights activists and intellectuals sitting on a dharna in front of Raj Bhawan here on Saturday.

Mr. Mohanty, who was arrested by Rayagada police near Tikiri railway station on July 14, has been in police custody since then.

A delegation was submitted a memorandum to Governor Rameshwar Thakur apprising him of "police atrocities on people opposing the setting up of an alumina refinery plant by Utkal Alumina Industries Limited (UAIL) at Kashipur in Rayagada district".

"Saroj Mohanty is a young poet who edits Anwesha, a socio-cultural magazine. He always raises critical political, social and economical issues. Police have implicated him in a false case under Section 395 of IPC (dacoity), Section 397 (assault with an intention of dacoity) and Section 450 (breaking into ones house)," human rights activist Biswapriya Kanungo said.