On 29 November 2011, human rights defender Dr Lenin Raghuvanshi received a death threat via mobile phone.

On 24 June 2011 human rights defender and land rights activist Mr Akhil Gogoi was arrested at Guwahati Press Club, in the northeastern state of Assam, where he was addressing a press conference. His arrest follows a protest which took place on 22 June 2011 in the state capital Dispur, during which three protestors were killed and over 50 injured as police opened fire into the crowd. Akhil Gogoi is general-secretary of Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and an activist using the Right to Information (RTI) Act. KMSS works with indigenous peoples in Assam in protecting and promoting their land rights. Akhil Gogoi is also an active campaigner against the construction of mega-dams in the state of Assam.

On 5 January 2010, human rights defender Mr Ahongsangbam Mobi Singh(hereinafter A. Mobi Singh) was released on bail following seven nights in detention in Imphal, Manipur, on charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967.

Further Information

A. Mobi Singh is the Editor of the local daily newspaper “The Sanaleibak” as well as Vice President and spokesperson of the All Manipur Working Journalist's Union (AMWJU), a state-wide union which works to defend freedom of the press and journalistic independence in the context of the ongoing conflict between various State and non-State armed groups in Manipur.

On 28 December 2010, A. Mobi Singh was contacted on his mobile phone by an individual who identified himself as a member of the Tabungba faction of the banned Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP), who requested that A. Mobi Singh send three members of the AMWJU to Delhi to meet and discuss publication of their statements, at the expense of the KCP.

On 29 December 2010, A. Mobi Singh was again contacted by an individual claiming to represent the KCP asking him to collect a sum of Rs.

On 18 November 2010, the offices of the human rights organisation Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA) were broken into and ransacked. During the attack valuable documentation containing confidential financial and legal information, as well as cash, computers and other office equipment was stolen from the premises. BBA is a human rights organisation working to promote the rights of the child throughout India by campaigning against child labour, child trafficking and child servitude. In particular, BBA has been instrumental in reuniting children who were victims of forced child labour with their families.

Further Information

In the early hours of 18 November 2010, the attackers gained entry to the offices of BBA using force and ransacked furniture and filing cabinets, as well as vandalising other office equipment. During the attack sensitive legal and financial documentation was stolen. In the past the offices of BBA have been vandalised on numerous occasions.

Human rights defenders Mr Gnana Diraviam, Mr Anandan, Ms Bharathi Pillai, Ms Niharga Priya and Ms Sudha have been arrested and remanded in judicial custody since 15 August 2010.

Front Line is deeply saddened by news of the killing of human rights defender Mr Amit Jethwa in Gujurat on 20 July 2010. Amit Jethwa was a Public Interest Law Practitioner and Right to Information (RTI) Activist.

Human rights defender Mrs K. Saraswathy has been subjected to attacks, death threats, attempted murder and a campaign of public defamation as a result of her human rights activities in Tamil Nadu State, India.