In an exclusive interview, political activist and lawyer Arun Ferreira, who was picked up on charges of being a naxal operative in 2007 and later acquitted by the court, speaks about how ruling parties have always targeted people working for social upliftment of the poor, especially in rural and interior parts of the state. An alumnus of St Xavier's College, Ferreira has a degree in law. He has been spearheading the movement to fight against the "unethical" means adopted by the police and government, and is currently representing Dhawale.

What do you have to say about the recent arrests made by the Pune Police?
I see the whole series as an attempt by the police to arrest and target social activists and thereafter, fabricate evidence.