The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and the People’s Union for Democratic Rights (PUDR) will stage a dharna in Lucknow and Allahabad on Saturday (February 13) to demand the release of human rights activist and organising secretary of PUCL, Seema Azad.
Ms. Azad and her husband, Vishwa Vijay were picked up by the Uttar Pradesh police from the Allahabad railway station on February 6 when they returned from New Delhi. They have been accused by the police of being members of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist).
On February 5, Asha, a member of the Inquilabi Chhatra Morcha was arrested in Gorakhpur on similar charges.
The PUCL alleged that Ms. Azad has been framed for raising her voice against the alleged fake encounters and atrocities on mining workers.
Ms. Azad, who is the editor of monthly magazine, Dastak, had criticised the alleged fake encounter killing of one Kamlesh Chaudhary in Sonebhadra district on charges that he was a naxalite.