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New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Transfer Balveer Singh case to Human Rights court, demand activists
TIRUNELVELI: People's Watch, an outfit working in the field of human rights, on Friday sought transfer of custodial torture case filed against former Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Ambasamudram division Balveer Singh IPS and other police personnel to the Human Rights Court. Singh, who is accused of removing the teeth of suspects using pliers in custody appeared before the Judicial Magistrate I court on Friday in connection with the case. Judge K Sathya posted the matter for next hearing on July 3. During the hearing, advocate S P Madasamy, who appeared for People's Watch which is representing the victims, submitted a petition seeking the transfer of the case to the Human Rights Court to be heard by Principal District Judge under the Protection of Human Rights Act. He cited serious human rights violations allegedly committed by the IPS officer and his team. The Magistrate accepted the petition. Further, the magistrate directed the CB-CID's investigation officer to appear before the court in future hearings, rather than sending other personnel.
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
Manjolai workers appeal to TN government against forceful eviction; seek time till disposal of SLP
MADURAI: Former Addressing media persons at the office of the NGO, People's Watch, on Saturday, the workers said they are ready to obey the High Court's order and have no intention to remain at the estate. But the authorities call each worker individually over phone, demanding them to leave the estate in threatening tones, they alleged. "The fact remains that we have lost our livelihood and are being uprooted and made to adapt to a place which is entirely different from the habitat in which we were born and raised. Every part of our lifestyle will change, including the weather in which we lived, the type of clothes we wore, the food we ate, etc. All we ask is to let us live with dignity," said, A John Kennedy, one of the workers. The government is undertaking the rehabilitation measures in a mechanical manner without understanding the basic needs of the workers, advocate I Robert Chandra Kumar said. Instead of being separated and made to relocate to different places, they want the state to allot them a separate locality - a 'samatthuvapuram'- where they all can live together without caste and religious differences, just as how they lived in the estate, he added. The workers want the state government to pay them Rs 25 lakh each under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund, executive director of People's Watch Henri Tiphagne said. The authorities are under the wrong impression that the workers are trying to remain at the estate eternally, he added. In their SLP, the workers seek rights to visit the burial ground in the Manjolai hills, to pay respects at the graves of their ancestors from time to time. This itself would prove that they are willing to leave the estate, Robert pointed out.
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.
