RAYAGADA: Demanding release of Dashuru Kadraka, who was arrested on charges of being a Militia Commander, more than 300 Dongria Kondhs took out a rally from Munikhol panchayat office and staged a demonstration before Muniguda police station here on Monday.
The Dongria Kondhs of Muniguda, Kalyansingpur and Bissamcuttack blocks of the district led by Ladda Sikaka, convener of Niyamgiri Surakhya Samiti (NSS), staged the protest. Sikaka said, unable to fight against the Maoists, police are targeting innocent Dongria Kondhs out of frustration.
As an active member of NSS, Dashru was fighting for Niyamgiri hill and has no connection with the Maoists, Sikaka added. In the recent past, police had arrested Haribandhu Kadraka, Drika Kadraka, Tela Karkara, Nepal Takri and Padmanav Choudhury on similar charges. Another tribal, Manda Kadraka was killed in police encounter and Drika Kadarka had committed suicide following police torture, added Sikaka.
Tribals also submitted a memorandum to Governor seeking his intervention in release of Kadraka and preventing police atrocities on Dongria Kondhs. They have threatened to resort to rail roko at Muniguda if their demands are not met at the earliest.