Outfit organising anti-Maoists protests dissolves itself

An organisation which has been actively spearheading anti-Maoists protests in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region since the past one year ceased to exist after its dissolution was announced today by its members.
Significantly, the disbandment of Action Group for National Integrity (AGNI)comes days after the transfer of senior IPS officer S R P Kalluri, who had been reportedly supporting the outfit, from the post of Bastar Range IG.
However, no specific reason was given for disbanding the Jagdalpur-based organisation by its National Convener Anand Mohan Mishra.
Mishra, in a message on social media, said "In the view of current situation, the members of AGNI have unanimously decided to dissolve the organisation with immediate effect without any important reason."

"The organisation, since its formation, was representing the people of the region and has been working shoulder-to-shoulder with government and police. It has been protesting against the Naxalism in a peaceful and democratic way," Mishra told PTI.
"We were satisfied after delivering our role in the anti-Naxal movement. But now we have decided to disband it. Wishes and support of the members of AGNI will always be with security forces," he maintained.

Mishra rejected suggestions that Kalluri's transfer was the reason behind their move and dismissed speculation that AGNI members fear a Maoist backlash.
The AGNI has organised almost 15-16 rallies during the past one year across the Bastar region protesting against the Maoist activities and violence. One of them, called 'Lalkar' (challenge) rally, was convened by the outfit in Jagdalpur in September last year and attended by thousands of people.

Police officials of Bastar, including Kalluri, reportedly took part in these programmes.
Civil rights groups and some local journalists have dubbed the AGNIas another version of the anti-Maoist militia Salwa Judum, which was banned by the Supreme Court in 2011.
The members of AGNI also faced allegations of threateninglocal journalists and social activists, including Bela Bhatia, who was asked to leave Bastar.
However, Mishra rejected such accusations and claimed they are only against Naxals, who he said, have blocked the development of Bastar over the last three decades.