New Delhi: After assurances from the Chhattisgarh government, senior journalist and editor of Bhumkal Samachar, Kamal Shukla, ended his indefinite hunger strike on Wednesday afternoon. Shukla had been on hunger strike in the state capital, Raipur, since Tuesday demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of former Inspector General of Police (Bastar, Chhattisgarh) S.R.P. Kalluri.

Kalluri, a controversial police officer belonging to the Chhattisgarh cadre of the Indian Police Services (IPS) and accused of organising attacks on journalists and activists, was recently made head of the Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau of the state by the newly formed Congress government led by Bhupesh Baghel. Notably, Baghel has been a fierce critic of of IG Kalluri and his style of working. In fact, while being in the opposition, Baghel demanded Kalluri’s arrest, alleging his role in attacks on ordinary Adivasis, local journalists and activists.

“By appointing Kalluri as the state Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau chief, Baghel has reneged on his promises,” Shukla told The Wire on Tuesday while talking over phone from Raipur. “Not only that, [this] is like awarding him,” he added. According to Shukla, Kalluri's assignment is not a punishment post as projected by those close to the government.

However, after meeting chief minister Bhagel's political advisor, Vinod Verma and media advisor, Ruchir Garg on Wednesday afternoon, Shukla told The Wire, “They have assured me that my demands will be conveyed to the chief minister and the government is working towards bringing a law for [the] protection of journalists.”

Speaking to The Wire after ending his strike, Shukla said, “They have guaranteed that in 3 to 4 months’ time, all the promises made regarding the protection of journalists, activists and Adivasis will be fulfilled.” He further said that if these promises are not honoured within the promised time, "I am not going to sit back and watch.”

Also read: The Eternal Return of Kalluri, One of India's Most Tainted Policemen

It can be noted that Shukla, who is known for his relentless campaign for the protection of journalists in the state and highlighting stories of human rights violations of Adivasis, especially staged encounters in the name of fighting Naxalism, supported Baghel in the assembly election concluded in December.

Meanwhile, in an open letter addressed to the chief minister by retired civil servants, academicians, activists and lawyers demanded the suspension of Kalluri. The letter notes:

“In the interest of fairness and justice, we demand that the government set up a Special Investigating Team, under the leadership of a retired Supreme Court judge, to investigate into the crimes that Mr Kalluri has been accused of, time-and-again, while holding positions of power in north and south Chhattisgarh. As in all such cases, he should be suspended pending the results of the enquiry.”

Signatories of the letter include more than a dozen retired civil servants, like Ardhendu Sen, former Chief Secretary, West Bengal, K.S. Subramaniam, IPS of the Tripura and Manipur Cadre, Amitabha Pande, former Secretary, National Integration Council, K.P. Fabian, former Ambassador to Italy and Keshav Desiraju, IAS, former Health Secretary, Government of India, apart from more than a hundred other citizens from different walks of life.

Also read: 'Bullet-For-Bullet Policy Has Failed Miserably': Chhattisgarh CM on Naxalism

The petitioners, in their letter allege:

“The policies and methods that Kalluri embodies has built and reinforced a culture of impunity and unaccountability that outlive his tenure. He went after pro-democracy articulations with malicious vengeance and his response to public criticism was far from democratic, and at times even overstepped the requirements of basic decency. During his tenure, all those who attempted to safeguard constitutional rights were sought to be silenced by vicious labelling, smear campaigns, defamatory tactics and physical attacks. Such a dictatorial response has a lingering negative effect and instils deep fear and prejudice amongst people.”

So far, the chief minister has maintained his silence on the matter. However, his media advisor Ruchir Garg told The Wire that the government is committed to its promises about protecting journalists, activists and Adivasis. “We are in the process of brining in laws for the protection of journalists. Similarly, work is also going on regarding the withdrawal of false cases in which Adivasis and activists are implicated,” said Garg.

When asked about the fate of Kalluri, he said the state government has little role to play in this matter and that they are bound by the central rules, since he is part of a central service.

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