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Letters

Attack on Rights Activists
Coordination of Democratic Rights Organisations (CDRO) condemns implicating falsely in criminal cases members of the fact finding team of Association of Protection of Democratic Rights (APDR) who went to Bhangar in the District of South 24 Parganas in West Bengal after police atrocities and firing resulting into the death of two persons.

CDRO also condemns charging of the activists and villagers agitating against acquisition of land for Power Grid Corporation, under Section 18 & 19 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), without obtaining prior permission of the appropriate authority. CDRO and its constituent organisations are consistently opposing the draconian UAPA. Imposition of UAPA against the people agitating against unlawful forcible acquisition of land vindicates the stand of CDRO and its constituent organisations.

On 03/02/17, some APDR activists went to the Baruipur Court to obtain bail in the case they were falsely implicated. They were attacked and manhandled by ruling party (Trinamool Congress) goons in presence of a police contingent led by the Sub Divisional Police Officer, Baruipur. CDRO is worried such attack on human rights defenders by the state and ruling party and condemns this blatant attack on the right to protest.
CDRO

Demonetisation and Poor Innocent
Demonetisation is undoubtedly a bravery step for economic reformation taken by Mr Narendra Damodardas Bhai Modi led government of India. It might be considered as surgical strike because corruption and terrorism raise its ugly heads throughout the country. But it was absolutely a very own decision of the Prime Minister who whimsically avoided the power of Reserve Bank of India. Mismanagement and inappropriateness of this sudden decision hampered normal life of people. But government failed to reach its goal to make the country free from black money. It was what it is now.

It was opposed by only a few politically opponents (Indian National Congress and Trinamul Congress) aiming to make ground for forthcoming election. Renowned economists and intellectuals criticised it considering the uncertainty in economic growth of the country and future suffering of poor for emerging crisis due to this demonetisation. But government was strong in its decision and opined that it would facilitate digital transaction and cashless economy where almost half of the population are illiterate and are in hunger. They do not get scope to manage a meal daily.

Surprisingly there was no voice of common (mass) gains this demonetisation. They adjusted this created maladjustment patiently with silence. The poor innocent was initially happy - with it because of their jealousness towards the rich. They opined that rich people had to face a critical poor life like them. They shared that rich people (maker and holder of black money) would be arrested and punished because they (rich) congregated black money after exploiting the poor innocent. They (poor innocent) believed that government would transfer an amount of money from seized black money to their account under Jana Dhana Yojana as gift and it would be helpful to cope with their poor economic condition. But there is no such things to be happened. They were allured and now they are in a more critical situation. Gradually, they lose their faith and belief on any government. And people will have to wait for next election to judge innocent's view.
Harasankar Adhikari, Kolkata

Frontier
Vol. 49, No.35, Mar 5 - 11, 2017