CityLightBuzz: The Joint Forum for the Release of Political Prisoners has announced a protest at Indira Park on August 29, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. A poster and pamphlets related to the protest were unveiled in Hyderabad.Speaking on the occasion, Professor Kodandaram demanded the withdrawal of cases registered against those who had participated in protests at Dharna Chowk. He also called for the release of prisoners booked in connection with the Maoist movement and said his party would support the campaign.
Professor Haragopal said the Joint Forum was working on a broad platform, bringing together various organisations and political parties around a common agenda. He questioned the continued imprisonment of people allegedly associated with the Maoist movement and alleged that thousands of Adivasis were in jails facing cases. Professor Anwar Khan, Co-Convenor of the forum, demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all political prisoners. He alleged that several people were being detained without proper chargesheets and described this as a violation of human rights.
Another Co-Convenor, Professor Gaddam Laxman, said the campaign was launched on August 1 and called for the release of Adivasis, activists and others who have remained in jail for extended periods.
Sandhya of CPI(ML) New Democracy questioned the continued detention of alleged sympathisers and activists and said both the Central and state governments have a responsibility to ensure their release.
Several others, including V. Prabhakar, Supreme Court advocate Mahadevan, Suresh, S.L. Padma, Ramesh (CPI(ML) Liberation) and Nagaravi Sharma, participated in the programme.
The organisers appealed to supporters and civil society groups to participate in the August 29 protest at Indira Park and make the programme successful.
