Condemn Police Action Against Keraleeyam
By Concerned Citizens
31 December, 2014
Countercurrents.org
The office of Keraleeyam, a magazine publishing from Thrissur in Kerala and focused on environmental and human right issues for the last 17 years, has been raided by Kerala police at the midnight of December 22, 2014. More than 40 armed police personal descended to the office located in Thrissur Town at the dead of the night for the raid and seized copies of Keraleeyam, pamphlets and notices of events conducted by Keraleeyam, books and other documents. The police took into custody Ajlal (Marketing Manager, Keraleeyam), Viswanathan Alathu (environmentalist), Santhosh (Youth Dialogue activist) who were present in the office at the time of the raid. The three were subjected to intense questioning and detained at Thrissur East Police Station until 8.30 AM the next day.
Even though, the police explained that the raid was based on ‘specific information’ from intelligence agencies, they have not revealed the intention of the raid. Apart from a being media organization, Keraleeyam has been functioning as common platform for human right activists, environmentalists and those from a slew of people’s movements. The office of Keraleeyam is a common space for cultural activists, researchers, students and people from different walks of life. Keraleeyam, known for taking up various environmental issues in Kerala and India, extensively supported struggles for the rights of adivasis and dalits. Keraleeyam tried to make a public opinion on gender justice, consumer rights, bio-farming, alternative market, alternative modes of education, secularism, transparency in governance and human rights. Keraleeyam is committed to democracy and a politics based on non-violent politics. Keraleeyam, as an alternative media, created a unique space by closely associating with anti-Coca Sola struggle in Plachimada, anti-nuclear movement of Koodamkulam, anti-Endosulfan struggle, environmental issues in Kathikudam, adivasi and dalits struggles for land in Chengara, Muthanga, Arippa, Stand Up protest in Thiruvananthapuram, waste management issues of Lalur, Njalianparambu and Vilapilsala. We strongly condemn the police action against Keralyeeam.
The act of police reminds us of Emergency period when media organizations were haunted by the police. We consider the action of the police as an atrocious act against the freedom of press. The Keraleeyam has not been even informed before or after the raid and the Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala’s response on this issue was blatantly arrogant.
The police, which have failed to find source of the suspected Maoists interventions in Kerala, is attacking the various people movements and struggles fighting for rights in a non-violent and democratic way. The Special Branch of police has been given detailed explanations about Keraleeyam and its activities many times in response to their inquiry.
Despite such a transparent track record raiding the office at midnight and seizing the copies based on some dubious information cannot be justified on any ground. We consider it as a deliberate attack by the State to destroy a common platform created by various people’s movements. We strongly condemn police action that violates freedom of press and fundamental rights and urge upon the State Government to desist from such actions.
Medha Patkar (NAPM)
Anand (Writer)
Zachariah (Writer)
BRP Bhaskar (Journalist, political critic)
K Satchidanandan (Writer)
NS Madhavan (Writer)
Sara Joseph (Writer, AAP)
K Venu (Political Critic)
NP Rajendran (Former Chairperson, Press Academy)
Kutti Ahammed Kutti (Former Minister)
Binoy Viswam (Former Minister)
KP Rajendran (Former Minister)
KK Shahina (Journalist)
KP Sasi (Film Maker)
KP Sethunath (Journalist)
.
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