Human rights defender, Mr Issac Digal, has been physically assaulted in his home in the Kandhamal district of Orissa State on 3 September 2009. Issac Digal is a leader in the ongoing peace process and works to secure justice to victims of inter-religious violence in Kandhamal district.

Further Information

On 3 September 2009, at approximately 7.30 pm, Issac Digal was at his home in Kandhamal with his wife and five-year-old daughter when five unknown individuals, whose faces were covered with black cloth and who were carrying guns and swords, broke into his house. The men threatened to kill Issac Digal if he continued to participate in the inter-religious peace process and ordered him to flee his home. They then physically attacked him, punching and kicking him and cutting him with their swords. They robbed him of Rs. 5000, an ATM card and some important documents and valuables. Issac Digal's wife managed to escape through the back door of the house and when the men heard her shouting to the neighbours for help, they fled. Earlier that day, at approximately 4.00 pm, Issac Digal had received threats from the same men.

Issac Digal had repeatedly informed the District Administration, the Superintendent of Police and the Human Rights Commission of Orissa regarding the ongoing threats he had been receiving from individuals who opposed his human rights work.

Human rights defenders in Kandhamal have expressed their grave concern about the growing level of violence in the region. It is alleged that acts of violence are rarely reported to the authorities due to administrative inaction and the failure to maintain law and order in the district. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of all human rights defenders in Kandhamal.

Front Line urges the Indian authorities to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the attack on Issac Digal, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;

2. Guarantee the security and physical and psychological integrity of Issac Digal;

3. Ensure that all human rights defenders in India, carrying out their legitimate work in the defence of human rights, are able to operate free of restrictions and reprisals.