NIA notice to anti-displacement activist draws protest from civil society coalition

By A Representative

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) in Hyderabad has issued a notice to anti-displacement activist Damodar Turi in connection with FIR RC-04/2025/HYDERABAD, prompting criticism from the Campaign Against State Repression (CASR), a coalition of civil society organisations.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, CASR alleged that the notice forms part of a broader pattern of action against activists working on land rights and Adivasi issues. The case relates to an incident linked to the funeral of CPI (Maoist) leader Ramachandra Reddy. According to the statement, authorities have claimed that a speech delivered at the funeral supported Maoist ideology. CASR has described the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated.

CASR stated that Turi was not present at the funeral and termed the issuance of the notice an attempt to harass and intimidate him.

Damodar Turi has been associated with anti-displacement movements for over three decades, particularly in Jharkhand. He is a founding member of the Visthapan Virodhi Jan Vikas Andolan (VVJVA), a platform working on issues related to land acquisition and the rights of indigenous communities. Over the years, he has faced multiple cases under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and has previously been arrested.

The coalition further stated that Turi is currently pursuing a law degree in Dhanbad. It called for the withdrawal of what it described as false charges and urged authorities to end what it termed the criminalisation of activists.

The NIA registered FIR RC-04/2025/HYDERABAD two months ago. Further details of the investigation have not been made public.

CASR comprises several student, labour, and rights-based groups across the country.

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