Shillong: A legislator in Meghalaya belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention for the release of Jesuit Father Stan Swamy now lodged in a Mumbai jail for alleged Maoist links.
Sanbor Shullai, who presents South Shillong constituency in the northeastern state’s legislative assembly, wants the 83-year-old Jesuit released “unconditionally” in consideration of his age and health-related condition.
In the letter October 14, the 52-year-old legislator said the Jharkhand-based Jesuit tribal rights activist was arrested by the National Investigation Agency on October 8.
Shullai says Father Swamy’s whereabouts are completely unknown since his arrest.
However, other sources say the priest was taken to Mumbai on October 9 and produced before a court that sent him to judicial custody until October 23. He is currently admitted to a hospital inside the jail.
“The arrest of Father Stan Swamy, who has dedicated his life with a mission to uplift the tribals of Jharkhand, has triggered insecurity among the minority Christian community not only across the state but throughout the country,” Shullai’s letter stated, adding that the NIA move was “highly questionable and condemnable.”
The legislator said that Swamy’s contribution in the past should also not be overlooked.
He maintained that at his age, Swamy has the right to be given a chance to prove his innocence, while stating that the NIA can look into a “smoother and gentle” way to handle this highly volatile development.
Meanwhile friends of Jesuits along with representatives of the Catholic Association, Shillong, met with Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and handed him a letter appealing him to speak to the prime minster and the home minister and to request them to release Father Swami on humanitarian ground and also to squash all allegations against him.
The Friends of Jesuits said they have been informed about the Ill treatment of Father Stan by the jail authorities. “We have also requested the CM to kindly intervene and personally speak to the jail authority to treat him with respect and not exposed him to a crowded barrack with many people in quarantine as he might get infected by the virus.”
The chief minister assured the delegation that he will speak to both the PM and HM on the matter as he has also been told about the issue by Bishop Theodore. He further said he would speak to the jail authority and ensured that Fr. Stan is given enough respect in treatment considering his age.