New Delhi , Aug 29: Of the 10 activists who have been arrested by the Pune police in connection to the Bhima Koregaon violence case, 7 had reportedly featured in a list prepared by the UPA government in 2012, identifying organisations and individuals linked to the banned CPI (Maoist).

According to news agency ANI, the erstwhile Ministry of Home Affairs had identified 128 organisations which were allegedly linked to the insurgent Maoists. Seven of those organisations were linked to activists Varavara Rao, Sudha Bhardwaj, Surendra Gadling, Rona Wilson, Arun Ferreira, Vernon Gonsalves and Mahesh Raut.

All of them have been charged by the Pune Police under relevant IPC sections of criminal conspiracy and promoting enmity among castes and religious groups, along with Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The note prepared by the UPA government in 2012 reportedly instructed the state governments to take action against the 128 outfits who are acting as fronts of the naxalites.

Notably, among the activists arrested by the Pune police, at least three have spent time behind the bars earlier as well. In 2007, Gonsalves and Ferreira were jailed on being charged under the Arms Act and UAPA, respectively.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed the transit remand of five activists arrested by the police in multi-city raids conducted yesterday. The apex court, while underlining, that dissent is the "safe valve" of a democracy, ordered that the accused will remain under house arrest till it issues the preliminary ruling in the case.

The Home Ministry has condemned the Opposition for targeting the government on the Bhima Koregaon raids. "It's not right to demoralise police. Bhima Koregaon was a serious blow to our nation and the constitution. Plot of igniting caste tensions is out in open now and police is taking action. Courts are there and if they think they're innocent, then they can seek bail," said MoS Home, Hansraj Ahir.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 29, 2018 07:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).