CPI(ML)-New Democracy strongly condemns the arrest of Com. Linganna by Telengana police from Raghunathapalen in Khammam on December 7, 2017. Com. Linganna is Secretary of Kothagudem District Committee of CPI(ML)-New Democracy. He is also a leader of party’s regional committee and a member of its Telengana Provincial Committee.

Com. Linganna has been a senior leader of the resistance movement of the Godavari Valley. He has been leading the movement of tribals and non-tribal poor people in the agency areas of Telengana particularly those of Kothagudem district.

Arrest of Com. Linganna as that of other comrades before him shows intensified offensive of TRS Govt. of Telengana against struggle of tribals and other forest dwellers. TRS Govt. is particularly and systematically targeting the revolutionary movement. It is part of the offensive of the state govt. to take away tribal lands and suppress their struggles for better life. TRS Govt. has been targeting leaders of CPI(ML)-New Democracy. CPI(ML)-New Democracy has been leading the struggle of the tribals and non-tribal poor living in forests for several decades. Com. Linganna has been a leading organizer of the resistance movement of these areas and a popular and respected leader of tribals of the area.

There is widespread anger among the revolutionary people and cadres against Com. Linganna’s arrest. Demonstrations were held at different centres in Kothagudem district and at centres in neighbouring districts covering agency areas. Demonstrators denounced Com. Linganna’s arrest and demanded his release.

Police has launched a serious offensive against the revolutionary cadres. It is raiding different places to arrest the revolutionary cadres and leaders. Police is also harassing the people and sympathizers of the revolutionary movement. It is deliberate policy of the TRS Govt. to suppress the revolutionary movement in the agency areas and to hand over the resources of these areas to the corporate. Its suppression of the revolutionary movement is designed to achieve this anti-people objective.

Com. Linganna has been a senior leader of the movement in agency area and working in the self defense squads for nearly last three decades. He is a tribal. He is working for the cause of the people.

Central Committee of CPI(ML)-New Democracy strongly condemns the offensive by the TRS Govt. against the revolutionary movement, CPI(ML)-New Democracy and the struggle of tribals and other forest people. TRS Govt. is increasingly displaying its anti-people character and is targeting our Party in order to suppress the struggles of the people. TRS Govt.’s attacks will neither be able to dampen nor stop the revolutionary people from intensifying their struggles against exploitation, oppression and suppression, and for new democratic revolution.

Central Committee,

CPI(ML)-New Democracy

December 8, 2017