There are allegations that the arrest was a transfer to muzzle the voices of dissent, Mr Vijayan stated (File)
Thiruvananthapuram:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday termed as “unlucky” the arrest of tribal rights activist and Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy for his alleged involvement in inciting a mob to violence in Bhima Koregaon close to Pune on January 1, 2018.
Mr Vijayan stated the arrest of Mr Swamy, who has been supporting the Tribal agitations for land and their rights contained in the forest, was a transfer to muzzle the dissenting voices.
“It is unlucky that Tribal rights activist and Jesuit priest Fr Stan Swamy was arrested and jailed. He has been working among the many Tribals for many years. It is in opposition to the ideas of Indian Structure to arrest those that increase their voice in opposition to the butchering of democratic rights of the Tribals,” Mr Vijayan stated in a Fb put up.
Mr Swamy, who stated he has by no means been to Bhima Koregaon, was arrested from his residence in Ranchi on Thursday night and brought to Mumbai the place he was produced earlier than a court docket on Friday and remanded to judicial custody until October 23.
The Chief Minister stated there are allegations that the investigative companies have been misused and sought the intervention of authorities involved within the problem.
“There are allegations that the arrest was a transfer to muzzle the voices of dissent,” Mr Vijayan stated, expressing his concern over the well being of Mr Swamy, a Keralite.
The Nationwide Investigation Company (NIA) on Friday filed a charge-sheet in opposition to eight folks, together with activists Gautam Navlakha and Mr Swamy, for his or her alleged involvement in inciting a mob to violence in Bhima Koregaon, officers stated.
They have been arrested throughout the course of the investigation into the violence on January 1, 2018 during which one particular person was killed and several other injured after clashes on the 200th anniversary celebrations of the Battle of Koregaon close to Pune.
The Pune Police has alleged the violence was precipitated following provocative speeches by members of the group Elgar Parishad.
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