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Time of India
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Sterlite killings: NGO urges TN to conclude action against officials
Madurai: The Tamil Nadu govt has been urged to complete the pending disciplinary proceedings against the 17 revenue and police officers involved in opening fire on anti-Sterlite protesters in Tuticorin district, and place them under suspension so that none of them are allowed to retire without facing the consequences of their actions. In a statement, executive director of NGO, People's Watch, Henri Tiphagne also urged chief minister M K Stalin to seek the closure of the CBI probe ordered by the Madras high court and entrust the investigation to a highly competent team of police officials, preferably monitored by a highly reputed independent senior police officer from outside Tamil Nadu, comprising senior officers of the rank of DGP. This is because several IPS officers and IAS officers were found to be responsible for the injuries and the killings in Tuticorin. Tiphagne said that Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission, which probed the 2018 Sterlite killings, submitted a report to the govt in 2022. He stated that while the Tamil Nadu assembly adopted the report in May 2022 and consequential orders were passed by the state govt, it is shocking that despite three years passing, the disciplinary proceedings against the police and revenue authorities are still pending. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Complete disciplinary proceedings against officials involved in Thoothukudi firing'
People's Watch, a Madurai-based Human Rights organisation, has urged the DMK government to complete the pending disciplinary proceedings against 17 revenue and police officials involved in the police firing at anti-Sterlite protesters in Thoothukudi on May 22, 2018. People's Watch Executive Director Henri Tiphagne urged the government to place the officials under suspension. The DMK government should remind itself of its electoral promises made in 2019, 2021, and 2024 to punish all those responsible for the killings. People's Watch demanded that the government immediately intervene, asking for closure of the CBI investigation entrusted by the Madras High Court and hand over the probe to be carried out in a timely manner, and complete it before the 2026 elections, through highly competent police officials, preferably monitored by a highly reputed senior police officer from outside Tamil Nadu and comprising sufficient senior officers of the rank of DGP, since several IPS officers and IAS officers had been found responsible for the killings and injuries caused. Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission of Inquiry, which probed the firing incident, had submitted its report to the government in 2022. The Commission named 17 officers from the rank of IPS to constables, as well as from the District Collector to the Deputy Tahsildars as responsible, he said. The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly adopted the report in May 2022 and consequential orders were passed by the government. Despite three years having passed since the report had been submitted, on the seventh anniversary, disciplinary proceedings against the police and the revenue authorities were still pending. No single official had been held guilty even in the disciplinary proceedings, let alone initiating criminal prosecution that necessarily had to follow, he said.
New Indian Express
27-04-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
UN-linked body has recommended for downgrading NHRC's accreditation: NGO
MADURAI: The Sub Committee of Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), a Geneva-based, UN-linked body, has recommended downgrading the accreditation of India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to 'B' from 'A', expressing concerns over its independence and effectiveness in conforming with international norms, said Henri Tiphagne, the executive director of NGO People's Watch, on Saturday. Addressing media persons in Madurai, Tiphagne said the NHRC involving police officers in its investigations, lack of transparency in other appointments, and failure in addressing various human rights violations are reasons cited for the commission's downgrade. Though the SCA of GANHRI stated it gave several chances to the NHRC to rectify the above issues by deferring its accreditation for two consecutive years, it added sufficient steps were not taken to implement the suggestions. Calling it a big blow to the country and the commission, Tiphagne blamed the inaction of the commission during the chairmanship of Justices HL Dattu and Arun Mishra. The NHRC has appealed against the decision and the same is pending, he added. Tiphagne, however, expressed hope that the current chairman, Justice V Ramasubramanian, would do the needful to retain the 'A' status. Meanwhile, the SCA stated in its report that as per GANHRI statutes, a recommendation to downgrade does not take effect for a period of one year. This allows an opportunity for the NHRC to provide the documentary evidence necessary to establish its continued conformity with the Paris Principles, it added.
Time of India
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Manjolai families seek samthuvapuram, not housing complex
Madurai: Families in Manjolai are ready to relocate but have urged the state govt to consider establishing a samathuvapuram (Periyar memorial equality village) instead of moving them to a multi-storeyed housing complex in Reddiarpatti, Tirunelveli. This was stated by People's Watch executive director Henri Tiphagne and high court advocate Robert Chandra Kumar at a press meet in Madurai on Saturday. Robert Chandra Kumar said Supreme Court had taken up the case regarding rehabilitation of Manjolai residents . "Most of the people are agriculturists and livestock rearers. The proposed rehabilitation site near Tirunelveli city consists of a multi-floor apartment complex, which is unsuitable for people with cattle and agricultural livelihoods. What we seek is a samathuvapuram model, where these families can live with dignity and continue their way of life," he said. Henri Tiphagne said there are about 500 families. "The govt must listen to their plea and ensure that resettlement happens with full dignity. The villagers have demanded a compensation package of ₹25 lakh per family to help them restart their lives," he added. Later, Tiphagne expressed concern over downgrading of India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) from 'A' to 'B' status by Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) citing various factor. They include political interference in appointments, lack of pluralism in its composition, appointment of police officers as investigators in human rights cases among other things. "The downgrading is a serious warning to India. The NHRC must urgently undertake reforms to regain its credibility, independence, and effectiveness," Tiphagne said.
The Hindu
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
‘Recommendation to downgrade NHRC status a setback'
The Sub-committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) recommending National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) be downgraded to B status was a setback to the country, said People's Watch Executive Director Henri Tiphagne in a press meet here on Saturday. The recommendation had been challenged, he said. Mr. Henri Tiphagne said that India had set up several commissions to look into various issues for the welfare of the people and the number of commissions was among the highest in the World. The NHRC accreditation had been deferred at least three times and never downgraded. Grade A reflected compliance with the Paris Principles, he said. The SCA expressed concern that the institution's independence and effectiveness had not been sufficiently maintained in line with the requirements of the Paris Principles. The SCA also noted attempts by Indian authorities to engage members of the SCA relative to the accreditation process, including the involvement of various foreign missions. The SCA emphasised that the GANHRI accreditation system was a peer-review mechanism which required NHRIs to maintain their independence, he said. The SCA noted that the involvement of police officers in the investigation of human rights violations cases posed a concern. The SCA was concerned that the composition of the membership of the NHRC and the composition of the staff was not sufficient to meet the pluralism requirements of the Paris Principles. The selection process and appointments should be proper, he said. The NHRC should act independently and speak out, he said, adding that it did not do so in several issues. In the Manipur issue, it had remained a mute spectator, he charged. It should function as an independent organisation and be strengthened, he said, adding that the institution should function with the civil societies and speak for the civil liberties.
