JUDGMENT

B. C. RAY, J. :— This appeal on special leave is directed against the Judgment and Order of the High Court of Judicature at Madras dated 4-8-1972 in Criminal Appeal No. 23 of 1971 whereby the appeal was dismissed and the conviction and sentences passed by the Court of Session, East Thanjavur Division at Nagapattinam against the accused Nos. 1, 2, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 and 20 were confirmed.

2. The prosecution case is as follows :

All the accused appellants are residents of various villages within Keevalur Police Station. The first accused is the leader of the Left Communist Party and also of the Harijan Kisans of five neighbouring villages. Accused Nos. 17 and 18 are the leaders of the Left Communist Party at Keezha Venmani village. There were serious differences between the Mirasdars and the Harijan labourers regarding the fixation of wages for harvest. These troubles started in 1967 and the Kisans have been agitating for higher wages by taking processions and convening meetings. There was a settlement in 1967 whereby the Mannargudi agreement was made between the parties providing for additional half measure of paddy to the Harijan labourers. This settlement was enforced from