By Violet Pereira, Team Mangalorean

Mangalore: Vittala Malekudiya, a Journalism student at Mangalore University, who had been arrested on charges of having links with Naxals and had been granted bail recently by the first class court, has been released along with his father Linganna from the sub jail on July 5.

Linganna and Vittala had been arrested on March 3 and many organizations like DYFI, CITU and others had tried for his release at different levels. The state high court had suggested to the court here to consider their bail appeal.

After the release from jail speaking to the media, Vittala Malekudiya said, "I am over joyed because finally the fight against truth has prevailed. When I was in jail, I suffered from Malaria and was having high fever, the police had taken me to the hospital for treatment.  Even other inmates also suffered with Malaria. In Jail, I did not get my books to study, but still I did my best in the examination. My college will reopen from July 23 and I will continue my education and become a journalist ". 

Police had identified me in DYFI organization when I was fighting for the rights of the tribal's. Commenting on the uniform package offered for the rehabilitation of tribal's, Vittala said that it was not acceptable. He pointed out that a family cannot survive with a compensation package and I will fight for the rights of the tribals.  We will not leave Malekudiya at any cost. We will fight unitedly.

He also said that when I was in jail, there was no proper food, my friends used to deliver me food  from outside. He also thanked DYFI, CPI(M) and CITU organizations who stood with him in his fight for justice.  He said after 3 months of his arrest he was able to see his mother in the jail premises. 

Linganna, father of Vittala, after his release, speaking to mangalorean.com said, "Even though I have been suffering from Maleria. The inmates in the jail were in good terms with us. There was no any untoward incident in jail.  I am very happy to meet my family members after four months being in jail.

DYFI  State vice president and District President  Muneer Katipalla, speaking on the occasion said, "DYFI is very happy that after 4 months of our fight, Vittala got released on bail. ANF and police force were alleging that they have strong evidence of Vittala and his involvement with the Naxals, but now ANF and police have failed to file a charge sheet on Vittala.  Further he said that, this is not only the question of Vittala's release but it is the question of the tribal people and their rights.  DYFI, CITU and CPI(M) will fight for the rights of the tribal people. "We will prove in court that he has no Maoist links. He was an activist of DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India). There is no question of his having Maoist links as we (CPI(M)) are politically and ideologically opposed to Naxals," he said.

After releasing Vittala Malekudiya and Linganna visited the CPI(M) district office and thanked Vasanth Achar for all the support and the help rendered towards him and his family while there were arrested by the Anti Naxal Force.

Mandd Sobhann Gurkar Eric Ozario, Vasanth Achar and other leaders were also present.