New Delhi: A Jharkhand social activist and Jesuit priest, Fr. Stan Swamy has been arrested by National Investigation Agency. The NIA team arrived at the priest’s Ranchi office in connection with the 2018 Bhima-Koregaon riots and took him into custody. Witnesses said that the investigation team took him away without even showing his warrant. Colleagues also said that Fr. Stan Swamy was treated badly.
Born and raised in Kerala, Fr. Stan Swamy has been a vocal advocate for the welfare and human rights of tribals in Jharkhand for over five decades. He had come forward to oppose any armed action against the Maoists, including Operation Green Hunt. But the arrest of Swamy and his friend on treason charges during the BJP’s rule in Jharkhand had led to widespread protests. The case was later dropped by the incumbent Hemant Soren government. It is expected that the new central action will pave the way for large-scale protests in the coming days.
