New Delhi, October 10 (MExN): The North East Catholic Research Forum (NECARF) expressed shock and sadness at the arrest of an 83-year old Jesuit Priest, Fr Stan Swamy S J, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who was also earlier subjected to a 15 hour interrogation by the Agency. In its press release, the NECARF condemned the arrest and said that with the arrest being made days after the interrogation, it was nothing but a “selective targeting of a Christian Priest, who, all through his life not only dedicated his selfless services to educating the youth of this country, regardless of religion, but also stand for what is just and fair for the dispossessed and marginalised Indian citizens.” It appears to be an attempt to distract and divert people's attention from multiple crises the country is currently witnessing, the Forum alleged. It further said that the allegations and defamatory charges against Fr Stan by the Pune police regarding the Bhima Koregaon case, labelling him an “urban naxalite” and accusing him of plotting the assassination of the Prime Minister, are “patently false and defamatory.” NECARF, through a press release appended by its Convenor James Pochury on Saturday, appealed to the Government of India to intervene and ensure his early release.
