Duo dubbed Naxals surrenders

“This is not a surrender. This is our satyagraha against police atrocities,” said Kabir Kala Manch (KKM) member Sheetal Sathe who gave herself up to the Anti-Terrosim Squad, along with her husband Sachin Mali, in front of the Mantralaya on Tuesday. In her sixth month of pregnancy, Sathe has been dubbed a Naxalite by the police. The duo is part of the banned cultural organisation that spreads anti-caste and pro-democracy messages in Maharashtra.

The authorities had arrested some of the members almost two years ago who were released on bail, said an activist.

The couple, after a press conference outside the Mantralaya, sang a Marathi song about people’s rights and were whisked away by the Marine Drive police. “After an hour at the police station, the ATS turned up to arrest them,” said a member of KKM Defence Committee, which was formed after the organisation was banned.

Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar who was also present, told the press, “Deepak Dengle, who was arrested, was tortured by the ATS and the police from Day 1. We request the chief minister to instruct the police not to torture Sathe as she is pregnant.”

@DilnazBoga