Free the Jhiramghati 10
Most of the Congress leaders who were killed in the Jiramghati ambush were involved in Salwa Judum, directly or indirectly. Most notably Mahendra Karma. Salwa Judum was a butcherous campaign carried out with the support of the Indian state. Adivasi villages were attacked, burnt down, many murdered, women raped. Even the Supreme Court had to step in and insist on putting a halt to it. The perpetrators of those atrocities remain free. Yet 10 among those who fought to avenge those crimes have been sentenced to death, for waging war against the state. Comrades Pramila Modiyam, Sumitra Punem, Kosa Kawasi, Mukka Mandavi, Markami Deva, Aita Markam, Banjami Sanna, Chaitu Lekam, Joga Markami and Mahadev Naga-all of them were Adivasi cadres or sympathisers of the CPI (Maoist). They were attracted to its politics precisely because of the oppression, exploitation and atrocities they had to face from the Mahendra Karmas and his backers who were plundering the land and people. Meanwhile, even those named as the originators of the ambush in the charge sheet have been excused and gifted with rewards and jobs because they abandoned that politics, surrendered, and betrayed the people. It is clear that this verdict is preeminently political. It has nothing to do with the actual incident or criminal law, though it is framed in those terms. It must be challenged. Even those who disagree with the politics that motivated the ambush must surely agree that this verdict is injustice doubled.
The Jeeramghatti 10 fought for the people.
We must not allow the state to murder them.
FREE THE JIRAMGHATI 10!
Let the call resound all over the world!
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