Malkangiri, August 24 (Odisha.in) Additional District Judge Anandrup Jaydeep Debsharma, of Malkangiri Fast Track Court acquitted Gangi Madkami of Kurupu village whom police had arrested after describing her as a Maoist.
The police had arrested Gangi on March 6, 2005 and forwarded her to court suspecting her involvement in Maoist activities in the district. Police had charged her of committing Maoist related violence.
After her release Gangi said she belonged to the Koya community. She had lost her father in her childhood. Her family consists of an old mother and three sisters.
They earn their livelihood by farming or working as daily labours in the village and they do not have any relationship with the Maoists.
When she was returning from Darjaguda village after attending a marriage ceremony, there was an encounter in the adjacent jungle between the Maoists and the security forces. As she started running out of fear, the police arrested her suspecting her to be a Maoist.
Later, the police photographed her at Kalimela police station maoistsand described her as a Maoist, said Gangi. I am happy that the court realised my innocence” Gangi told Odisha.in.
Maoists are active in at least 11 of state’s 30 districts. They have been attacking police and land lord. Police often arrest innocent people and describe them as Maoists to meet the pressure from higher authority.
Photo above : Madakami after her release
Odisha.in