Police arrest Chhattisgarh activist over ‘Maoist links’

Bastar range inspector general of police (IGP) Sunderaj P said Potam, an activist in the region, is a key operative of the Maoists’ urban network and frontal organisation.

Published on: Jun 4, 2024, 09:21:56 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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RAIPUR: Human rights activist Suneeta Potam was arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur city on Monday in connection with several cases pertaining to Maoist activity, including murder, police said.

Bastar range inspector general of police (IGP) Sunderaj P said the activist is a key operative of the Maoists’ urban network and frontal organisation. (AFP)

Providing details, Bastar range inspector general of police (IGP) Sunderaj P said Potam, an activist in the region, is a key operative of the Maoists’ urban network and frontal organisation.

“The 25-year-old was arrested by a team of Bijapur police from Raipur, where she was living with a false identity. She is a resident of Korcholi village under Gangaloor police station area in Bijapur and is a key operative of the Maoists’ urban network and frontal organisation,” Sunderaj said.

“At least 12 warrants are pending against Potam in three different police stations in Bijapur for offences related to murder, attempt to murder, loot, provocative speeches and causing damage to government property,” he added.

Bijapur superintendent of police Jitendra Yadav said of the 12, seven were filed in Gangaloor police station, four in Mirtur police station and one in Bijapur police station.

“She was arrested and remanded in judicial custody by a local court,” the IGP said.

The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) slammed the activist’s arrest and alleged the action was initiated as she was fighting against police atrocities.

In a statement, the Chhattisgarh unit of PUCL said Potam is an “adivasi activist and human right defender” and “an active member of PUCL Chhattisgarh and of national women’s organization WSS (Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression) since 2015”.

As a human rights defender, Potam has been a thorn in the eyes of Bijapur police as she has been raising her voice against atrocities, especially on women, committed by them, the PUCL claimed. “At the local level, she has been leading ongoing protests against widening of roads piercing through several villages, cutting hundreds of fruit bearing trees without holding any gram sabha in complete violation of the PESA Act,” it said.

It demanded an independent investigation and alleged false cases had been foisted on her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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