Leader released, Dow stir revived

  • 30/09/2008

  • Indian Express (Mumbai)

Pune, September 29 Warkari leader Banda Tatya Karadkar, who was arrested on September 20 for leading the agitation against Dow Chemicals, was released from Yerwada Central Prison on Monday. The moment he stepped out, he vowed to resume the agitation against he project, which Warkaris allege would pollute the sacred river Indrayani. Karadkar addressed a group of Warkaris outside the prison and said the agitation would continue till the government stops Dow from setting up a plant at Chakan village. Activists of Vyasan Mukta Yuvak Sangh, Warkari Sampraday, Lokshasan Andolan and villagers of Shinde Gaon had gheraoed the Chakan police station on September 20 demanding the release of seven Warkaris who were arrested for allegedly pelting a Dow Chemicals engineer with stones. Police had then arrested 115 persons including Karadkar. It led to major protests across the state and spurred conciliatory measures from the government. Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh issued a stay order on the work on the site last week and said a retired judge of Bombay High Court would look into issues related to Warkaris. Deputy Chief Minister R R Patil assured that complaints filed against agitating Warkaris would be revoked; Karadkar was released from around 5 pm on Monday.