Protestors across India seek release of youth arrested for bursting canisters in Parliament

By Our Representative
A civil rights group-organised country-wide protest demanding the release of four youth -- Neelam, Amol, Manoranjan, Sagar and Lalit Jha -- and two of their friends who had participated or helped organise the bursting of yellow smoke canisters in the New Parliament building. The protestors said that act was meant to “convey their concern and anger towards growing unemployment, inflation and fascism” in the country.
Organised by the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), the protestors said, these persons, who carried placards and shouted slogans, did not carry out any terrorist act, hence the the authorities should scrap the imposition of the anti-terror law, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

Demonstrations, rallies and public meetings were held in colleges, villages, towns, and district headquarters in several states, in which hundreds of people participated. Protests were held in the Delhi University, the Banaras Hindu University, the Allahabad University, the Kundli Industrial Area (Sonipat), the Hisar district and the Narvana in Haryana.
There were also gatherings in Moga district and Zira city (Ferozpur district) in Punjab, Ernakulam District in Kerala and West Benga, and in Neelam Azad’s home district Jind. Protestors included workers, farmers, students, teachers and other concerned individuals, extending solidarity with Neelam and her comrades.

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