Chhattisgarh CM takes on rights bodies

Raipur, Jun 7 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh today took on human rights organisations for their silence over the blackout caused by naxals blasting a power pylon in Bastar division.

''Four districts are sans power for two days, patients' surgery is getting delayed and difficulties being encountered in potable water supply to towns. In this heat, more than 50 lakh people are affected by the blackout,'' he told UNI during a 'Vikas Yatra'.

Pointing out that national and international rights organisations kept agitating in favour of the release of Dr Binayak Sen, incarcerated for allegedly aiding rebels, Dr Singh added that the organisations repeatedly tried to place his regime in the dock over the matter.

''Fifteen intellectuals are to stage a hunger strike in this state for freeing Dr Sen. Why do they not speak against violence in Bastar? The rights organisations have been studying the insurgents' role in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh for the past 30 years but probably never spoke strongly against them,'' he added.

UNI AS-AC AM KP1900