India Political Prisoners’ hunger strike against fascist law and armed units in Jungle Mahal

Jailed rebels on fast

OUR CORRESPONDENT, Telegraph of India

Krishnagar, Aug. 28: A group of suspected Maoists lodged in a Krishnagar jail are on hunger strike since August 24 demanding repeal of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, release of political prisoners, withdrawal of central forces from Jungle Mahal and quick disposal of cases. Among the 15 Maoists on hunger strike are Chandi Sarkar and Pradip Chatterjee, both state committee members of the CPI (Maoist). The duo figure on the list of 52 political prisoners selected for release following a recommendation by a government-appointed committee. Seventy other convicts and undertrials have joined the fast to express solidarity. District magistrate Abhinav Chandra said the health of those fasting was being monitored. An Association for Protection of Democratic Rights team yesterday met the fasting prisoners. “We requested them to call off the hunger strike but they refused. They had fasted on June 23 over these demands but the government did not pay heed. So, they are annoyed,” APDR vice-president Tapas Chakraborty said. Biswarup Biswas, the jail superintendent, said attempts were on to persuade the prisoners to withdraw their hunger strike. “But they have refused so far.” Sarkar’s daughter Ranu today said she was concerned about the health of her father and other prisoners. “The state government should at least make a statement,” she said.