Launch inquiry against police involved in Vikram Gowda killing; dismiss them from the service: PUCL Mysore
2 min read
Mysuru: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) Mysore, strongly condemns the killing of people’s rights activist Vikram Gowda, an Adivasi, in an encounter by the police. It demands immediate dismissal or demotion of the policemen involved in the incident; a high-level independent inquiry; and a pledge from the State Government that such actions will not be repeated.
Kamal Gopinath, President, PUCL and V Purushottam, General Secretary, have stated in a press release, the encounter killings are not the answer when people fight for their rights in a democracy. It is unacceptable that Vikram Gowda, who has been painted a Naxalite by the mainstream society, was shot dead allegedly after an exchange of fire with an armed group in which none of the policemen involved suffered any bullet injuries.
Through this unconstitutional and high-handed action, the State Government has completely failed in its responsibility to make strenuous efforts to get Vikram Gowda and others to lay down arms and rejoin the mainstream society. Instead of these efforts alongside addressing the valid and genuine issues raised by Vikram Gowda, the State Government has chosen the path of eliminating dissent, following the path adopted against Adivasi activists in other parts of the country.
PUCL is firm that Karnataka should not go the way of certain north and central Indian states where such encounters have been ‘normalised’ with no value for human life, and branding people with dissenting opinions as urban Naxals has become the order of the day.
PUCL is apprehensive that the entrenched economic interests thriving on exploiting and looting the forests have been given a stick to beat down the Adivasi, who have been fighting through lawful means for more than two decades for their rights bestowed under the Forest Rights Act passed by the Parliament. It does not behove well for a State Government to be seen or perceived as being in cahoots with such elements and others who see forests as urban wealth minus the Adivasi.
– Team Mysoorunews
Mysooru News
