Prominent cultural leaders under the banner of Vilappilsala Aikyadardya Samithi has flayed the arrest of S Burhan who led the anti-garbage plant protest in Vilappilsala.
The Samithi leaders told reporters here on Saturday that a solidarity meeting would be held in front of the Secretariat on Monday. Writer Sara Joseph, N A Kareem, D Vinayachandran, V Madhusoodanan Nair, George Onakkoor, Laha Gopalan, V Venugopal, C R Neelakandan, Vayalar Gopakumar and M G Radhakrishnan will attend the meeting to express solidarity with the people’s protest in Vilappilsala. Samithi chairman Kanayi Kunhiraman said that the arrest of Burhan was a blot on the democratic tradition of the state. “He was arrested on false charges with an aim to sabotage the people’s strike. The non-bailable charges against him, including attempt to murder and theft, shows the cruel face of a government,” Kanayi observed.
Veteran journalist B R P Bhaskar said that Burhan was arrested in violation of Supreme Court directive.
“He was handcuffed after the arrest. The Home Minister should seek explanation from the officials concerned about their act,” he said. Bhaskar also said that the government was still underestimating the protest against the plant.
“The govt believes that they could transport garbage with the help of paramilitary personnel. The arrest of Burhan and other leaders are to facilitate this. But besides the people of Vilappilsala, thousands of like-mined persons from other places will join the strike if such a situation arises,” he said.
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