[Assam] AT News

[Chan Mahanta]

*** I had almost written off Indian intelligentsia . But the 
following was a pleasant surprise, however meager, however rare.

cm






Call for release of Lachit, Pradip
 From Our Spl Correspondent
  NEW DELHI, Feb 13 - A group of eminent citizens including noted 
author Arundhati Roy, actor Girish Karnad have called for immediate 
and unconditional release of the persons detained for their alleged 
links with outlawed ULFA. Writers, thinkers, journalists and artists 
today described the detention of human rights activist, Lachit 
Bordoloi, journalist Pradip Gogoi, and the airline worker Suman Dutta 
as part of a concerted strategy on part of the State to silence all 
democratic dissent and criticism of Government policies, especially 
in conflict areas.

Besides calling for their release, the citizens also demanded repeal 
of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, Unlawful Activities 
Prevention Act 2004 and all attempts to muzzle the press and 
criminalise legitimate political activity.

The signatories of the joint statement included Editor of The 
Mainstream, Sumit Chakravarty, columnist, Praful Bidwai, senior 
editor, Tarun Tejpal, eminent theatre personality Habib Tanvir, 
author Mahashewta Devi, Prof. Sumit Sarkar among others.