BANGALORE: Rights activists P Kalyani and G Sugumaran on Tuesday alleged that Kolathur Mani, who is in Bellary jail, was “inhumanly treated, abused and tortured” by Karnataka’s Special Task Force (STF).
In a petition to Home Minister Mallikarjun M Kharge, they said: “We are upset to see Mani’s condition in the jail. Karnataka STF’s track record in human rights is shocking. This is in violation of all human rights laws in India and under the Geneva Convention.”
The two “unofficial” emissaries, who met Mani in Bellary on Monday, said the atrocities on him should be referred to the CBI. “In case you have any impediment in referring these cases to an independent agency like CBI, it can be handed over to the National Human Rights Commission, to prove the bonafides of the Karnataka government,” they stated.
Incidentally, Kalyani is treasurer and Sugumaran the secretary of the Federation for Peoples’ Rights, Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry.
During their discussion with Mani, the latter was confident of being exonerated of all the five cases, including a Tada, which had been `falsely foisted’ on him. Besides, Mani said he would like to come out of the jail only after the legal process is completed, they maintained.
The Times of India / 17.09.2002.
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