[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index ][Thread Index ]

Urgent Action for HR defender India




PUBLIC	AI Index: ASA 20/27/99

UA 175/99	                                            Fear for safety	23
July 1999

INDIA			Basanti Panda (f), human rights defender
			Members of the Singha Bahini Youth Club


There are fears for the safety of Basanti Panda and other members of the
Singha Bahini Youth Club (SBYC) in Orissa, after SYBC member Dileswar
Dandasena was murdered on 7 July 1999, allegedly by members of the ?liquor
mafia?. Basanti Panda received a death threat on 9 July and has requested
police protection. 

Social activist Dileswar Dandasena was stabbed to death on the evening of 7
July, after he left the SBYC in Dharuadihi village in Sundargarh district.
A colleague of his witnessed several people running away from the murder
scene. Dileswar Dandasena had been actively campaigning for several years
against the illegal trade and sale of liquor by a ?mafia? with the alleged
connivance of sections of the police force and local politicians, and had
reportedly received several death threats. 

Colleagues of Dileswar Dandasena immediately attempted to file a First
Information Report (FIR) about the murder at the Dharuadihi police outpost.
However, the police at first refused to file a complaint. After several
hours of protest outside the Basma Police Station, Basanti Panda succeeded
in filing an FIR. The police filed several criminal cases against Basanti
Panda and the other protesters, alleging they had violently attacked the
police station.

There were further widespread protests in the district, after which the
police arrested several people for the murder of Dileswar Dandasena. A
committee of the Orissa State Legislative Assembly headed by the Home
Minister is reported to be planning to visit the area to investigate the
murder.

On 9 July, while they were in Sundargarh, Basanti Panda and a colleague
were chased by a group of men who threatened Basanti Panda with death if
she continued to pursue the case against those charged with the murder of
Dileswar Dandasena. Basanti Panda filed a complaint concerning this threat
at Basma police station the same day and a FIR was registered. She also
requested police protection. Basanti Panda has moved from her home and is
being sheltered by fellow human rights defenders in the state. 


BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The sale of ?country liquor?, produced in unlicenced stills, was prohibited
in Sundargarh district by the Orissa Government several years ago. This led
to a flourishing trade in illicit liquor in the district, which borders
areas where the sale of liquor is not prohibited. Women in Orissa and other
states of India have been at the forefront of campaigns against the sale of
liquor. They argue that it is a threat to household economies, as men spend
large parts of their families? income on liquor.  

However, in areas where liquor is prohibited, ?mafias? regularly move in to
trade in illegal liquor. Such ?mafias? often operate with the support of
sections of the police and local administration or politicians. 

In Sundargarh district of Orissa there have been widespread allegations
that a ?mafia? is operating, supported by sections of the police who are
paid large sums of money and powerful local politicians who are able to
exert pressure on the police and local administration not to take action
against illegal trade and sale even though complaints against the ?mafia?
are repeatedly filed with police. 

Dileswar Dandasena was active in a campaign to expose the corrupt links
between this ?liquor mafia?, police and politicians. On 29 August 1998,
another human rights defender who had campaigned against the liquor trade
in Sundargarh, Urmila Kunar (f), was murdered. A person allegedly involved
in the liquor trade is awaiting trial for her murder. 

Amnesty International has raised many concerns about the situation of human
rights defenders in India. It is particularly concerned about attacks on
human rights defenders who have challenged corrupt and illegal practices
and allegations that sections of the police and/or state authorities often
act in connivance with those involved in such practices. Amnesty
International calls on the state to take active steps against such attacks,
to investigate allegations of the connivance of sections of the police
and/or state authorities, and to take action against those found responsible.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in
English:

( urging that Basanti Panda and other members of the SBYC be provided with
police protection, since they are receiving death threats;
( urging the authorities to order an investigation by an independent and
impartial body into the murder of Dileswar Dandasena, threats against
Basanti Panda and allegations that police and local politicians have acted
in connivance with those involved in the illegal trade and sale of liquor
in Sundargarh district;
( urging the authorities to take action against police officials found
guilty of acting in connivance with those involved in the illegal trade and
sale of liquor and to ensure that they play no part in the investigation of
Dileswar Dandasena?s murder or the prosecution of those arrested;
( urging the authorities to give a commitment that human rights defenders
will be free to carry out their peaceful activities without fear of
harassment and that action will be taken against anyone interfering with
those activities. 


APPEALS TO:

Mr Giridhar Gomang
                               Salutation: Dear Chief Minister
Chief Minister of Orissa, Office of the Chief Minister
Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India
Telegrams:	Chief Minister, Bhubaneshwar, India
Faxes: 		+91 674 400 100

COPIES TO:

Director General of Police, Orissa
Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, India

Mr L.K. Advani
                  Portokosten (luchtpost): tot 20 gram ? 1.60
Minister of Home Affairs
Ministry of Home Affairs
North Block, New Delhi 110 001, India

and to diplomatic representatives of India accredited to your country.

Zijne Excellentie de heer Prabhakar Menon, Ambassadeur van India
Buitenrustweg 2, 2517 KD  Den Haag                       Fax: 070-3617072

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat,
or your section office, if sending appeals after 3 September 1999.