10 under-trial prisoners to launch hunger-strike on R-Day

Ten prisoners who have been implicated in Maoist-related cases and lodged in Brahmapur Circle jail will launch an indefinite mass hunger strike on the Republic Day , sources said on Saturday.

They are demanding speedy trial of their cases which they allege are based on false and fabricated charges. They have accused the authorities of deliberately trying to delay their trial process in order to keep them in jail for as long as possible.

The prisoners are,  Sangram Mohanty, Pratap Kimbika, Manjulata Muduli,Kadan Bijal, Telem Soni, Malati Majhi, Sudarshan Mandal, Kandra Dalabehera , K.Anita and Abel Gamang who were arrested between 2008 and 2013 for their alleged involvement  with Maoists and their illegal activities.

The under-trial prisoners have sent memoranda highlighting their grievances to the Chief justice of Odisha High Court and judges of the subdivisional and JMFC courts in Bhanjanagar and Sorada respectively, sources said.

While giving out details of the proposed mass hunger strike by the ten prisoners, the convener of the Campaign Against Fabricated Cases (CAFC), Narendra Mohanty  in a press release has extended his support for the”legitimate and justified demands of the prisoners who are seeking  speedy trial of their cases.”