The National Investigation Agency simultaneously raided the premises of at least 25 human rights and civil liberties activists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh late on Wednesday for alleged Maoist links.
According to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties, the raids continued till the early hours of Thursday and the sleuths seized phones, computers, laptops, books and papers from the activists.
Among those raided are said to be some of the most prominent activists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, including Raghunath Verose, a Telangana High Court advocate who is associated with the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee, Dappu Ramesh who is a member of the Jana Natya Mandali, V.S. Krishna of the Human Rights Forum, and Paani, Varalakshmi and Arun of the Revolutionary Writers’ Association, sources said.
NIA Raids Residences of Over 25 Rights Activists in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
While NIA has claimed that the activists have ties with Maoists, members of civil society have alleged that this is a targeted witch-hunt.
Representative Image of NIA officers. Photo: PTI/Files
Rights8 hours ago
New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on March 31 simultaneously raided the houses of at least 25 prominent human rights, Dalit, women and Adivasi activists in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, alleging that they had connections with Maoists.
According to the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), the raids began in the afternoon and continued till the early hours of Thursday, April 1. Personnel seized phones, computers, laptops, books and papers from the activists.