Further information on UA: 367/11 Index: ASA 20/038/2012 India Date: 6 November 2012
URGENT ACTION
TWO ANTI-NUCLEAR PROTESTORS IN INDIA DETAINED
Two people detained for participating in ongoing protests against a
Russian-built nuclear power plant project in Kudankulam, in the southern
Indian state of Tamil Nadu, have been served with additional orders
which could result in their detention up to a year.
On 3 November, police went to Vellore Central Prison in Tamil Nadu and served orders to Lourdesamy (68) and Nazarin
(40) under a state security legislation, which provides for their
detention without charge or trial up to a year. Both protestors are from
the coastal village of Idinthakarai, which has been at the centre of
18-month-long protests, and have been detained since 10 September. They
face several charges including defying restrictions on size of
gatherings, rioting with deadly weapons, and attempting to assault
public servants.
During the latest round of protests on 9 and 10
September, the police responded with force when hundreds of protestors
marched towards the project site. They reportedly fired tear gas shells
at peaceful protestors and baton-charged them. Some 60 protestors were
injured, including a child. Some protestors reportedly responded to the
police violence by throwing sand and stones. Additionally, one person
was shot dead by police firing on protestors in Manappad village; three
media workers sustained injuries during the subsequent police action in
Idinthakarai, from which the police evicted 500 protestors after burning
their vehicles and looting their property.
In all, the police have arrested 49 male and
seven female protestors. Charges against them included defying
restrictions on size of gatherings, rioting with deadly weapons, and
attempting to assault public servants. Local courts ordered the release
on bail of 13 men and four women; five have now been released on bail.
Of the more than 1,000 protestors who have been
charged with various offences during 2011–2012, 53 face sedition charges
and imminent arrest. This includes Dr S.P. Udayakumar and M. Pushparayan
– key leaders of the People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy (PMANE)
which is spearheading the peaceful protests. If convicted of these
charges, they could face life imprisonment.
Please write immediately in English or your own language:
Expressing concern that Lourdesamy and Nazarin are arbitrarily
detained in violation of international human rights treaties which India
is obliged to respect;
Calling on the Indian and Tamil Nadu authorities to release
Lourdesamy and Nazarin, unless they are charged with internationally
recognisable offences, remanded by an independent court and tried in
fair proceedings;
Calling on them to not arrest peaceful protestors, including PMANE leaders Dr S.P. Udayakumar and M. Pushparayan, and to drop any unsubstantiated charges against them.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS BEFORE 18 DECEMBER 2012 TO:
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Prime Minister of India
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
South Block, Raisina Hill
New Delhi 110 00, India
Fax: +91 11 2301 7931
Email through website:
http://pmindia.nic.in/feedback.php
Salutation: Dear Prime Minister
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
Ms.J. Jayalalitha
Fort St George
Chennai 600 009, India
Email: cmcell@tn.gov.in
Salutation: Dear Chief Minister
Solidarity messages may be sent to:
People’s Movement Against Nuclear
Energy
Dr S. P. Udayakumar
Idinthakarai PO 627104
Tamil Nadu, India
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Also send copies to diplomatic representatives accredited to your country.
Please check with your section
office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the seventh
update of UA 367/11. Further information:
http://amnesty.org/en/library/info/ASA20/033/2012/en
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