20 October,2016 08:36 AM IST | | Vinod Kumar Menon
Seized CPI-Maoist booklet says the three — who have a combined 100 years of public service in Gadchiroli — are being targeted by the security forces; they in turn deny anything is untoward
Dr Prakash Amte, Dr Abhay Bang and Dr Rani Bang
Recently seized Maoist literature has claimed that three of the state's top civil society activists - Doctors Prakash Amte, Abhay Bang and his wife Rani - are being harassed by the security forces. Dr Amte, a Magsaysay winner and son of legendary activist Baba Amte, has spent over four decades working in improving education and healthcare in Gadchiroli. Abhay and Rani Bang have worked towards improving healthcare in the region for the past 30 years.
Dr Prakash Amte and his grandson playing with a leopard at his animal rescue centre
All three denied they were facing any harassment at the hands of the security forces and said they had no idea why the Maoists would make the claim.
Security forces across the country are known to harass and incarcerate social activists by labelling them Maoist sympathisers. Most recently activists Soni Suri and Lingaram Kodopi are battling the Chhattisgarh government and police excesses in Bastar. A few years ago, activist and paediatrician Binayak Sen was charged with sedition and convicted by a local court. Closer home, activist Arun Ferreira was acquitted of several charges of being a Maoist operative after spending five years in jail.
The 15-page CPI (Maoist) booklet appears to have been issued by the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee's Propaganda Bureau as part of a nationwide âProtest Week' between October 5 and 11 called by the party's central leadership.
It was seized during a gunbattle last week in the Bhamragad forest areas. Dr Abhinav Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli, said, "We have seized the temporary shelters inside the deep forests, where the Maoists lived and have also seized utensils and other belongings. Also, hundreds of pages of handwritten communications between their cadres and office-bearers in Gondi language have been seized."
Asked specifically about the propaganda material naming the three as being victimised by the police, the SP denied finding any such content in the police raid.
However, a senior Gadchiroli police officer who has seen the document, said, "The material seized was to be printed in a booklet form and distributed among Maoist groups. We are analysing the contents and names featured in it."
Another senior officer had a different take. He said the doctors are often visited by personnel and senior officers in Gadchiroli either for treatment or as courtesy visits. "The Maoists may be keen to stop the visits and, therefore, are portraying the doctors as victims of harassment," said the second officer.
Additional Director General of Police (special operations) Bipin Bihari told mid-day that he is aware of the names mentioned in the literature seized by security agencies and that the police were studying the same.
Asked if any of the three ever approached the police seeking assistance, Bihari said, "We have not received any complaint on their behalf nor have they approached us. We will carry out a proper inquiry into the same and do the needful."
Dr Amte was shocked to learn the mention of his name in the propaganda material.
"For 42 years, I have been serving people here and have treated all sorts of patients, including policemen. I have never told anyone that I was being harassed. So, I wonder why the Maoists have used my name. I treat people when they come to me for ailment, and I keep myself out of controversy."
Dr Abhay Bang told mid-day that he too was surprised that the Maoists would mention him.
"To be honest, I am an advisor to both the state and central government, and during our practice for last two decades, my wife and I have never confronted any Maoists nor have the police hindered our work."
Another activist close to Dr Bang told mid-day that this could be an attempt by the Maoists to gain public sympathy. This is not the first time that Dr Bang has found himself in the crosshairs.
He had faced the wrath of the state and police during the late 1980s when he fought to restrict the sale of alcohol in tribal areas. "The police later admitted their mistake and gave him a clean chit. And the fact remains that Dr Bang is a Gandhian who is respected all over the state and country."
