Dear Friends,
 
Assuming you have heard of the murder of A.T.Babu, I am playing a secretarial role to keep you informed of several events that will take place in the next few days.
 
Today
The most immediate is that Babu's body will be placed for the public to express solidarity with the family and to be prompted to take concerted action against this dastardly crime.  The body is at Prakashnagar and Babu's son-in-law informs us that the cremation? Burial? Will be today at Bangalore.  Please contact Jagadish 9448394365 for further information.

Day after tomorrow (24th July)
NAPM are organizing a half day protest at Gandhi statute (M.G.Road) between 10.30 hrs and 15.00 hrs.  For those who wish to keep a fast please do.  Sr. Celia will be the lead organizer (9945716052) please encourage institutions, students and friends to participate in large numbers.  Whoever can prepare banners, placards, please do.  The focus should be on: demanding a CBI enquiry into the murder of A.T.Babu, a social activist.  Secondly a condemnation of the dastardly actions of the liquor lobbies.  May I suggest that the focus be on the issue and not to project our institutions or forums.
 
Same day
Finally on the same day, after the protest, we will have a hall meeting during which time, Medha Pathkar, P.Chennaiah and other leaders of the NAPM and PUCL, Karnataka will address the participants and help plan a future course of action.  Please make time to be at SCM, Mission Road, Bangalore -27, between 4.00 pm and 6.00 pm.
 
David Selvaraj
 
please see the statement below:
 
NAPM condemns murder of its Karnataka state convenor

 

We are shocked to learn of the gruesome murder of senior activist and campaigner for prohibition of liquor, Mr. A.D. Babu, one of the state convenors of NAPM in Karnataka. This is one more instance of the continuing chain of violence targeting activists working among the poorest and downtrodden, whether they be campaigners against liquor or against corruption. And more often than not Governments not only stand as mute witnesses to such acts but are often involved either in cover ups or at least lackadaisical in investigations of such crimes. We hope the new Karnataka Government which has made various promises to the people of the state will order a thorough investigation of the murder and bring all those involved, however strong and powerful they are, to book.

 

The NAPM convenors meeting in Wardha today offers its most heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and stands with it at this tragic hour.

 

We demand a CBI enquiry in this case as we apprehend that the state authorities may not be able to take a neutral stand.

We also propose that the governments rethink about the policy of allowing liquor sale. With the kind of revenues and vested interests involved in production and sale of liquor, anti-social elements will always continue to dominate this business and such incidents as above would continue to take place. Liquor has played havoc with the lives of poor people, especially women in the families, and is a curse on society. We demand a total ban on liquor.

Medha Patkar, P. Chennaiah, D. Gabriele, S.R. Suniti, Anand Mazgaonkar, Ulka Mahajan, Swati Desai, Mukta Srivastava, Srikanth, Sandeep Pandey

 

p.s.
NAPM contact Numbers in Karnataka:  Sr. Celia, 09945716052; Balakrishnan: 080-23392354; David Selveraj, 09880290181

 

Funeral is tomorrow in Mangalore.