[Onthebarricades] Pro-democracy, human/civil rights and anti-government protests, India - Bangaldesh - Pakistan, December 2008

[global resistance roundup]

PAKISTAN
* Police injure 6 in clashes over police killings; protesters stone police
* Supporters of charity protest ban
* Children, minority Hindus rally against UN over charity ban
* Civil society, traders protest death threat
* Villagers protest police harassment
* Sindh lawyers plan protest if powers not restored
* Lawyers strike over murder

BANGLADESH
* Hundreds rally over polling location
* Opposition could face protests over refusal to field candidates
* Protests over selection of candidate
* Poll boycott over moving of polling station

INDIA
* Kolkata - Uprising over police brutalisation of passenger
* Uttar Pradesh - Thousands from Samajwadi Party in protests, blockades 
after killing of civil servant
* Andhra Pradesh - rival factions clash over comments
* Tamil Nadu - journalists protest assault
* Puducherry - journalists demand action over police attacks
* Karnataka - Church members protest pastor corruption
* Orissa - arrest of journalist over pogrom article sparks protests
* Karnataka - opposition parties protest exclusion
* Karnataka - police attack on local politician sparks protest
* Andhra Pradesh - protest over Congress violence
* Andhra Pradesh - Journalists protest minister's remarks
* Tamil Nadu - roads blocked in protest over political arrests
* Kerala - water workers protest alleged assaults
* Kerala - youth organisations protest interview process
* Karnataka - JD(S) protest 'maladministration'
* Andhra Pradesh - TDP blockade minister's convoy, attacked by police
* New Delhi - left parties protest lack of discussion on bills
* Kerala - lawyers protest own representatives
* Karnataka - activist polishes shoes to atone for supporting politician

MANIPUR
* Killing of soldier triggers protest

SRI LANKA/INDIA
* Tamils demand apology from Sri Lanka





http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=153664

Police firing leaves six protesters injured Thursday, December 25, 2008
By our correspondents

TOBA TEK SINGH/GOJRA/MIANWALI: Six people, including a 12-year-old boy, 
were injured when the Nawan Lahore Police opened fire at a protest rally 
against a custodial killing on the second consecutive day here on 
Wednesday.

A Gojra sub-divisional police officer was also injured when protesters 
pelted policemen with stones. Hundreds of villagers took out a rally and 
blocked traffic for more than five hours on the Jhang-Faisalabad Road in 
Nawan, Lahore. They were demanding immediate arrest of police officials 
who had allegedly tortured Akhtar Abbas of Chak 245/JB to death.

In the meantime, the police reached there and baton-charged the 
protesters. The policemen also fired at them. As a result, six 
protesters were injured. The protesters also pelted policemen with 
stones, which left the SDPO injured. All the injured were shifted to a 
hospital in Gojra from where two of them were shifted to the Faisalabad 
Allied Hospital due to their critical condition.

The police had arrested Akhtar Abbas, a driver along with a truck owner, 
on suspicion that he had taken away stolen cattle in his vehicle to 
Khushab and Mianwali. As many as 16 policemen of Nawan Lahore and Gojra 
police stations had taken Akhtar and the truck owner to Mianwali for 
recovering the cattle. According to the deceasedís relatives, the police 
had allegedly tortured Akhtar to death while DPO Ahmad Ishaq Jehangir 
claimed that he had died when he was hit by a truck while crossing a 
road along with policemen at Wan Buchran, Mianwali.

Later, the Toba Tek Singh district police officer held talks with the 
deceasedís father in Nawan Lahore police station and assured him a case 
against the police officials involved in the incident would be 
registered. Meanwhile, Wan Buchran police received information that 
Nawan Lahore policemen, along with the body of Akhtar and truck owner 
Khalid Raza, were returning to Toba Tek Singh. Following the 
information, the police intercepted their vans and brought them to the 
police station.

The police registered a case against truck owner Khalid Raza under 
Section 322 of the PPC on the complaint of a Nawan Lahore sub-inspector. 
In the meantime, Riaz Hussain, the brother of deceased Akhtar Abbas, 
also reached there and registered a case against 16 policemen. The case 
was registered against Sub-Inspectors Abdul Ghafoor, Anayat Ali and 
Assistant Sub-Inspectors Akhtar Abbas, Ashiq and 12 constables under 
Sections 302, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code and 156-D of the 
Police Order 2002. After registering the case, the police detained the 
accused cops along with the truck owner in the lock-up.

Musakhel DSP Ghulam Shabbir Chaudhry and Wan Buchran SHO Inspector Iqbal 
Qureshi brought the body of deceased Akhtar to the Mianwali DHQ Hospital 
but the post-mortem could not be conducted due to load-shedding till the 
filing of this report. When contacted, the DSP said the Nawan Lahore 
police officials were at fault as they did not inform the local police. 
He said they committed a blunder and misused their powers.






http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/12/20/pakistan.protests/index.html?eref=rss_world

December 20, 2008 -- Updated 0129 GMT (0929 HKT)
•
Share this on:
Mixx Digg Facebook delicious reddit StumbleUpon MySpace

Backers of banned Pakistani group protest
• Story Highlights
• Protesters stage demonstrations in federal capital of Islamabad and 
other cities
• Protesters support a banned Pakistani charity being tied to Mumbai attacks
• Group is Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which provides social welfare programs to 
Pakistanis
• Pakistan banned it after the U.N. designated it a terror organization 
with links to LeT
 From Zein Basravi
CNN

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Supporters of a banned Pakistani charity 
being tied to last month's Mumbai attacks staged demonstrations in the 
federal capital of Islamabad and other cities on Friday protesting the 
shutting of the group.

Activists supporting Jamaat-ud-Dawa chant slogans during a protest in 
Lahore on Friday.

The group is Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), a popular group that provides social 
welfare programs to impoverished Pakistanis.
Pakistan banned it after the U.N. Security Council designated the 
charity a terror organization because of its links to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba, 
(LeT).
That's the Pakistan-based Islamic militant group India says was behind 
the killings of 160 people in the Indian city of Mumbai last month. 
India has blamed LeT for training the attackers who carried out the 
Mumbai attacks, but LeT has denied responsibility for the attacks.
Pakistan banned Lashkar-e-Tayyiba in 2002 after an attack on India's 
parliament that brought the two countries to the brink of war, and JuD 
was formed by the LeT founder after that banning.
About 200 supporters marched in a central Islamabad market area, with 
protesters chanting that the charity's members are "saviors of the 
needy" and called the government "cruel" for instituting the prohibition.
"The government has closed offices and schools and hospitals," said Ali 
Butt, a protester from Pakistan-administered Kashmir. "In so many houses 
the ovens were burning only because of (JuD). Now they are all deprived."
Wheelchair-bound, Butt said he received aid from the group after the 
massive earthquake that rocked Pakistani-administered Kashmir in 2005.
"If someone is putting food in our mouths, can they be terrorists?" Butt 
said, adding, "I can't understand this."
Another protester said that the government should take responsibility 
for the country's poor if it chose to ban such groups providing help to 
the needy.
"We wouldn't take help from anyone if we could stand on our own two 
feet," said Noor Afsar, adding, "Why would we?"
The banning and the placing of JuD leader Hafiz Saeed under house arrest 
in Lahore sparked protests in that city and Peshawer too. Two hundred 
people took to the streets in Lahore.
Marchers say there's no evidence linking JuD to terror and said 
international pressure prompted Pakistan to institute the ban, being 
seen by some as an affront to Islam.
"Wherever there are Muslims, wherever there are people with beards, 
people who pray, they are labeled as terrorists," Afsar said.
"Are there not terrorists in other countries? Didn't this happen in our 
country, at the Marriott Hotel? -- a reference to the September attack 
in Islamabad that killed more than 50 people and wounded more than 250 
others.
"Who did that?"






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/pakistan/2008/12/18/188190/Pakistan-children.htm

December 18, 2008 10:11 am TWN, AP
Pakistan children protest U.N. action on charity
KARACHI, Pakistan -- More than 100 children have rallied against the 
United Nations for branding the Pakistani charity that runs their 
schools a terrorist front.
The girls and boys protesting Wednesday in Karachi claim the U.N.’s move 
is hampering their studies.
One young protester held a sign addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Ban 
Ki-moon that said, “Uncle Ban Ki-moon, please don’t scare me.”
India blames Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for 
November’s assault in Mumbai that killed more than 160 people.
The U.N. soon afterward said the Jamaat-ud-Dawa charity was simply a 
front for Lashkar.
Pakistan has since shut scores of the charity’s offices. That has upset 
many of its beneficiaries, leading to several protests.






http://wire.antiwar.com/2008/12/17/pakistan-children-protest-un-action-on-charity/

Pakistan: Children protest UN action on charity
Pakistan children condemn UN action against charity alleged linked to 
Mumbai suspects
Staff
AP News
Dec 17, 2008 05:42 EST
More than 100 children have rallied against the United Nations for 
branding the Pakistani charity that runs their schools a terrorist front.
The girls and boys protesting Wednesday in Karachi claim the U.N.'s move 
is hampering their studies.
One young protester held a sign addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Ban 
Ki-moon that said, "Uncle Ban Ki-moon, please don't scare me."
India blames Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba for 
November's assault in Mumbai that killed more than 160 people.
The U.N. soon afterward said the Jamaat-ud-Dawa charity was simply a 
front for Lashkar.
Pakistan has since shut scores of the charity's offices. That has upset 
many of its beneficiaries, leading to several protests.
Source: AP News






http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/dec/13mumterror-protests-in-pakistan-against-ban-on-jamat-ud-dawaah.htm
Pakistan: Protests against ban on Jamaat-ud-Dawah

December 13, 2008 02:26 IST


Hundreds of people today marched towards UN office in Pakistan-occupied 
Kashmir to protest the world body's declaration of the Jamaat-ud-Dawah 
as a terror outfit while political and religious leaders criticised the 
government's decision to crackdown on the group.
Pakistan yesterday banned the Jamaat and clamped down on its leaders and 
activists after a UN Security Council panel declared the group a front 
for the outlawed Lashker-e-Taiba and put four LeT leaders on a list of 
terrorists subject to sanctions like an asset freeze and a travel ban.
Hundreds of protesters marched to an office of the UN in PoK capital 
Muzaffarabad to protest the decision. The protesters shouted slogans 
against the US, India and the UN.
As part of the countrywide crackdown against the Jamaat, Pakistani 
authorities have detained its chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and other top 
leaders and sealed its offices, seminaries, educational institutions and 
hospitals.
Saeed's son, Mohammad Talha Saeed, said the group will mount a legal 
challenge in Pakistan's courts and the International Court of Justice 
against the crackdown.
"There is no moral or legal justification for this action," he said in a 
sermon to thousands of people who attended Friday prayers at a mosque 
run by the Jamaat in Lahore [Images].
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is also chairman 
of the parliament's Special Committee on Kashmir, demanded that Pakistan 
should approach the UN Security Council for reviewing its decision to 
declare the Jamaat a terrorist group.
Talking to reporters in Karachi, Rehman said the Jamaat and Al Rashid 
Trust, an affiliated organisation, were welfare groups and not terrorist 
entities. He said that no such action had been taken against several 
terrorist groups in India though Muslim charities were being targeted 
because of a bias against Islam.
Rehman claimed India should behave responsibly and not use any incident 
to "mar the progress towards normalizing relations" with Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister and opposition PML-N president Shahbaz Sharif 
asked India to provide solid proof against any Pakistani individuals 
believed to be involved in the Mumbai terror attacks [Images].
He told reporters after a meeting of leaders of several political 
parties in Lahore that Pakistan is itself a victim of terrorism and was 
not involved in the Mumbai attacks. He expressed dismay at what he 
termed India's "hasty move" to take the case of the Jamaat to the UN 
Security Council.
Sharif said all the provincial governments, including the one in Punjab, 
will fully cooperate with the federal government's decision to crackdown 
on the Jamaat.
However, he alleged that India and some other countries were involved in 
the insurgency in Balochistan. Sharif asked New Delhi [Images] to reduce 
tension and to stop pointing a finger of blame at Islamabad [Images].
Meanwhile, leaders of religious parties held meetings in all provincial 
capitals and Muzaffarabad to protest the banning of the Jamaat and the 
closure of its offices.
The leaders demanded the immediate release of Jamaat leaders and the 
lifting of the ban on the group.
In their sermons after the Friday prayers, some clerics in Lahore asked 
Pakistan's rulers not to accept the "dictation of India". They also 
condemned the government's action of sealing mosques run by the Jamaat 
and said the entire nation was with the group in "this critical hour".




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaat-ud-Dawa

After the ban imposed by UNSC, Hindu minority groups in Pakistan came 
out in support of JuD. At protest marches in Hyderabad, Hindu groups 
said that JuD does charity work such as setting up water wells in desert 
regions and providing food to the poor.[8] Its banning has been met with 
heavy criticism in many Pakistani circles including many Christians and 
Hindus as JuD was the first to react to the Kashmir earthquake and the 
Ziarat Earthquake and used to run over 160 schools with thousands of 
students and provided aid in hospitals as well.






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=154464

Death threats to Ansar Abbasi Civil society, traders protest Tuesday, 
December 30, 2008
By our correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of civil society activists and traders protested 
here on Monday evening against the death threats to Editor Investigation 
The News Ansar Abbasi.

The participants of the rally marched from the Aabpara market to the 
Melody Press Club to get their protest registered against the 
vilification campaign against Ansar Abbasi. The protestors were holding 
placards and banners and were chanting slogans in favour of the media 
and the daring journalist of the Jang Group.

Politicians and traders also participated in the rally, among whom 
ex-MNA Mian Muhammad Aslam, Naib Nazim UC Derya Gali Amjad Abbasi, 
President Shabab-e-Milli Murree Sajjad-ul-Hassan Abbasi, Athar Minallah, 
Sajid Satti, Ghazala Minallah, Jamil Abbasi and Muhammad Nisar were notable.

Addressing the participants of the rally, Mian Aslam said that it was 
not a new thing in Pakistani politics that the media was being 
threatened and a journalist was facing death threats. “The inhabitants 
of the capital would not tolerate any harassment against Ansar Abbasi 
and would tackle every attack directed against the upright journalist of 
The News,” said the ex-MNA.

Jahangir Akhtar, a civil society activist, said the government should 
protect journalists. He said the trader community would never let any 
financial hurdle come in the way of the defiant Ansar Abbasi. He said 
that Ansar Abbasi was not representing any single community or caste but 
was a representative of one hundred and sixty million Pakistanis.

Speakers were of the view that the media in Pakistan was the only tool 
which was exposing the wrongdoings of the politicians and top officials 
but it was not being allowed to work. They said the nation stood with 
the Jang Group and Ansar Abbasi.






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=150606

Khairpur villagers protest against police operation Friday, December 05, 
2008
By our correspondent

KHAIRPUR: Hundreds of residents of Ali Khan Naraijo village on Thursday 
demonstrated against an anti-dacoit operation of the police, accusing 
the agency of setting on fire several of their houses and injuring 
children Farzana and Ali Dost. Village elders Arbab Naraijo, Mehtab 
Naraijo and others alleged that instead of arresting the dacoits and 
their patrons, the force was harassing the law-abiding citizens.

Meanwhile, SP Investigation Khairpur Ghulam Akbar Wagan said that police 
received information about the presence of four kidnapped youths, 
including Tariq Kolachi, Abdul Qadir Sehto, Sikandar Sehto and Karim 
Dino Ghamro. He said the police failed to recover the youth but the 
operation against dacoits would continue till the recovery of the 
kidnapped citizens and arrest of dacoits. He said during the operation, 
the police were able to get released six kidnapped citizens. Senior and 
retired police officers of Khairpur have disagreed with the planning of 
the operation. They opined that instead of deploying hundreds of 
policemen at one place, it would have been better to follow a 
hit-and-run style operation and establishing ambush parties for getting 
results. They said the police had formidable power and no law-breaker 
could take the risk to face the force. They opined that before launching 
the operation against the dacoits, police had publicised it and dacoits 
took advantage of it by escaping from their hideouts.

They said it was not a result-oriented operation and the villagers, 
under fear of dacoits and police, had started living in remote and 
Katcha areas. Police sources said the Khairpur police received 
additional force of 700 men from other districts of Sindh for launching 
the operation. They added that the Khairpur police got Rs 13 to 15 lakh 
as boarding charges. They said the police had demanded a huge grant of 
about Rs 70 lakh for ensuring peace and security during Muharram and for 
the operation.






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=151496

‘Protest if SHCBA’s powers not restored’ Friday, December 12, 2008
By our correspondent

Karachi

The Sindh High Court Bar Association (SHCBA) threatened to initiate a 
protest campaign if the authority of the Sindh High Court (SHC) was not 
restored regarding the appointment of judges in the subordinate courts.

The reaction came over the issuance of a notification by the Sindh 
government on December 4 and consequential amendments made in the Sindh 
Judicial Service Rules 1974.

The SHCBA managing committee, headed by association President Rasheed A. 
Razvi, said that by the amendments, the Sindh government had excluded 
the superior judiciary of the province from having an effective say in 
the appointment of judicial officers in the subordinate judiciary.

“The divestment of this power is ex-facie mala fide. The SHCBA is 
therefore of the view that to vest these powers in the Public Service 
Commission, whose members enjoy no constitutional tenure, is fraught 
with great danger to the independence of the judiciary,” the SHCBA 
committee stated in a resolution after an emergency meeting at the 
Justice Iftikhar Hall in the SHC.

The association resolved that the SHCBA was duty bound to pinpoint 
threats to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary, and 
that it could not remain indifferent to the affairs of the subordinate 
judiciary where the bulk of litigation affecting people takes place.






http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=154113

Court proceedings boycotted to protest Bangash’s murder Saturday, 
December 27, 2008
By our correspondent

Karachi

Bar members boycotted proceedings at all five courts on Friday to 
protest what they said was the targeted killing of advocate (and former 
DSP) Rahim Khan Bangash.

The city courts were also closed due to winter vacations, but judges 
were present in their chambers. They adjourned cases because lawyers did 
not appear in court owing to the killing of their colleague.

Due to the unscheduled boycott call, family members of inmates came to 
the courts and under-trial prisoners (UTPs) were also brought in. they 
all left the court premises, however, without the hearing of any case.

The bail application of money exchangers Khanani and Kalia, which was to 
be heard on Friday was also rescheduled.






http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=68439

Published On: 2008-12-24
National
Election
Election 2008
Demonstration to cancel polling centre
A Correspondent, Kishoreganj

Hundreds of people yesterday demonstrated for cancellation of the 
Kalatali government primary school polling centre in Karimganj upazila 
in Kishoreganj-3 (Karimganj-Tarail) constituency.

They staged the demonstration in front of the Upazila Nirbahi Office (UNO).

Atikur Rahman, UNO of Karimganj upazila said Ruhul Amin, a office clerk 
is responsible for the fault. He was missing while the demonstration was 
being staged, the UNO said.





http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=66588

Print Friendly Version
Published On: 2008-12-08
National
Election 2008
Khulna-3,6
Field Gaffar and Modhu or face protest, say JP leaders
Staff Correspondent, Khulna

Khulna district and city units of Jatiya Party have demanded nomination 
of its central organising secretary Abdul Gaffar Biswas from Khulna-3 
(Khalishpur-Daulatpur) and district unit general secretary Shafiqul 
Islam Madhu from Khulna-6 (Koira-Paikgacha) constituencies as candidates 
of 14-party alliance in the upcoming parliamentary election.

Otherwise, all leaders and workers of Khulna district and city units of 
Jatiya Party will resign on December 12, a day after expiry of the date 
for withdrawl of candidature.

The demand was made in a press conference at Khulna Press Club yesterday.

Jatiya Party leaders Gaffar Biswas and Shafiqul Islam Madhu were also 
present at the press conference. They filed nomination papers from 
Khulna-3 and Khulna-4 and are now demanding their nomination as 14-party 
alliance candidates.

The 14-party alliance has fielded Hasina Banu Shirin as its candidate in 
Khulna-3 but local unit of Jatiya Party declared her 'unwanted' in 
Khulna-3.

She has no moral right to contest from any Jatiya Sangsad seat in Khulna 
district as she was isolated from politics and people for long 17 years, 
said JP central organising secretary Gaffar Biswas.

Gaffar Biswas said the JP chairman has taken a suicidal decision by 
fielding Hasina Banu Shirin in Khulna-3 with recommendation of AL-led 
14-party alliance.

“We want to know why JP Chairman favoured a politically isolated woman 
who will suffer a crushing defeat in polls from Khulna-3”, Gaffar Biswas 
said.

When asked, Gaffar Biswas said he would surely win if nominated from 
this seat.

Hasina Banu Shirin, central JP vice-chairman, was elected lawmaker on JP 
ticket in 1986 national elections.

She has been fielded in Khulna-3 by dropping prominent Awami League 
leader Begum Mannujan Sufian and JP leader Abdul Gaffar Biswas.






http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=66290

Published On: 2008-12-06
National
Election 2008
Protests continue to throw Mojahid out of poll race
Rezaul Karim, Faridpur

Faridpur district Mahila Dal holds a daylong protest meeting at Faridpur 
Press Club yesterday demanding nomination of BNP leader Kamal Yusuf 
instead of Jamaat's Mojahid for Faridpur-3. (Inset) Mojahid, Kamal Yusuf 
Photo: STAR
BNP and its front organisations continued protests yesterday against 
four-party alliance nomination to Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ali 
Ahsan Mohammad Mojahid in Faridpur-3 (Sadar) instead of BNP leader 
Chowdhury Kamal Ibne Yusuf.

The protesters also bitterly criticised Mojahid's showdown on Wednesday.

As part of protest against Mojahid, Faridpur district Mohila dal, 
woman's front of BNP, yesterday held day-long rallies in front of 
Faridpur Press Club.

Speakers at the rally demanded cancellation of Mojahid's nomination and 
urged people not to vote for him in the upcoming national election.

They also blamed district BNP president Zahurul Haque Sahzada Mia and 
secretary Modarres Ali Isa for the ticket to Mojahid. They claimed that 
a section of BNP leaders misled Khaleda Zia and convinced her to give 
alliance ticket to Mojahid instead of Kamal Ibne Yusuf.

It is the result of a Jamaat's conspiracy with a section of party 
leaders in the district, which will be harmful for the party, they said. 
Jamaat is eating up BNP, they said.

Mojahid also violated the polls code by staging a showdown in the name 
of visiting his mother's grave, the speakers said.

Denied ticket this time, Kamal Ibne Yusuf submitted nomination paper as 
an independent candidate.

The speakers included district BNP joint convener Bilkis Islam, Mohila 
Dal convener Nazrin Chowdhury, joint covener Nasrin Alam, Jubo Dal 
leader Golam Kibria Swapan and Tarun Biswas, district Krishak Dal 
secretary Afzal Hossain Khan Palash and Chhatra Dal leader Selim Mia 
Selim. District Mohila Dal president Shanaz Sultana presided.






http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=69266

Print Friendly Version
Published On: 2008-12-30
National
Election 2008
Poll boycott to protest shifting of polling centre
Our Correspondent, Jhenidah

Most of the voters at Fulbari village under Baluhar union in Kotchandpur 
upazila of Jhenidha-3 constituency have boycotted election protesting 
shifting of centre from their village to nearby village of Marutia. 
Fulbari centre was an old centre but the authorities concerned shifted 
the centre to Marutia without informing it to villagers, said elderly 
people.

Out of total 1,773 voters in the centre, 1,273 are of Fulbari and 500 
voters are of Marutia, they said.

“My ancestors traditionally used to cast vote in the polling centre but 
it was shifted from our village whimsically," said Mohsin Ali,52, at 
Fulbari village.







http://news.indiainfo.com/2008/12/23/0812230209_policepassenger.html

Police, passengers clash at Kolkata Tuesday, December 23, 2008 01:42 [IST]
Kolkata: The Dum Dum Metro station in the northern suburb of Kolkata 
turned into a battleground Monday night after passengers and locals 
protested against the Railway Protection Force (RPF) beating up a 
commuter who had alighted at the station.
Several people, including two camera personnel of new channels, were 
injured as the RPF allegedly baton charged the mob protesting against 
the cops 'inhuman treatment' of the man, said to be an epileptic patient.
Metro railway authorities, however, alleged that the man Gobinda Dey did 
not have a proper ticket and when he was chased by the RPF and metro 
employees, he fell down and injured himself.
The Metro Railway spokesman said that the man tried to escape the 
penalty by feigning senselessness and was handed over to the local police.
But passengers who witnessed the incident said Dey was forced to come 
out of a side gate as the ticket punching machine did not work.
"Immediately the police started beating him up mercilessly. He became 
unconscious and was frothing at the mouth.. But for half an hour he lay 
unattended at the station. Later, they admitted him to a government 
hospital," said an eye-witness.
As angry people protested, police reinforcements were rushed in. The 
Rapid Action Force (RAF) jawans were also deployed.
Locals alleged that the police indiscriminately baton charged the 
passengers and locals, and several people sustained injuries.
Two camerapersons who were taking footage of the police action also 
sustained injuries.
Hospital sources said Dey was in a serious condition.
Meanwhile, the police denied that they had baton charged the people. "We 
only chased the people away," a police official said.





http://www.bt.com.bn/en/asia_news/2008/12/26/hundreds_arrested_over_india_protests

Hundreds arrested over India protests
LUCKNOW, INDIA

Friday, December 26, 2008

POLICE fired teargas and live rounds into the air to disperse hundreds 
of protesters who took to the streets in northern India's Uttar Pradesh 
state yesterday after the killing of a senior public servant.

The protesters, from the opposition Samajwadi Party, stopped trains in 
several cities and and blocked traffic in the state capital Lucknow. 
Police said they detained nearly 1,000 protesters.

The most violent protests took place in the city of Auraiya, where 
television footage showed stone-throwing protesters and several burning 
buses.

"We were compelled to fire a few rounds in the air and also release some 
teargas shells on Samajwadi Party activists," a senior police official 
said by telephone from Auraiya.

Police also used batons in several areas to disperse protesters, who had 
vowed to bring Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, to a 
standstill with a statewide strike yesterday.

Public works engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta was found beaten to death in 
Auraiya on Wednesday.

A lawmaker from the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was taken into 
custody in connection with Gupta's death and will be held until he 
appears in court on January 7, police said.

Reuters






http://www.chinapost.com.tw/asia/india/2008/12/26/189302/Hundreds-detained.htm

December 26, 2008 10:05 am TWN, Reuters
Hundreds detained over India protests
LUCKNOW, India -- Police fired teargas and live rounds into the air to 
disperse hundreds of protesters who took to the streets in northern 
India’s Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday after the killing of a senior 
public servant.
The protesters, from the opposition Samajwadi Party, stopped trains in 
several cities and and blocked traffic in the state capital Lucknow. 
Police said they detained nearly 1,000 protesters.
The most violent protests took place in the city of Auraiya, where 
television footage showed stone throwing protesters and several burning 
buses.
“We were compelled to fire a few rounds in the air and also release some 
teargas shells on Samajwadi Party activists,” a senior police official 
said by telephone from Auraiya.
Police also used batons in several areas to disperse protesters, who had 
vowed to bring Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, to a 
standstill with a statewide strike on Thursday.
Public works engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta was found beaten to death in 
Auraiya on Wednesday.
A lawmaker from the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was taken into 
custody in connection with Gupta’s death and will be held until he 
appears in court on Jan. 7, police said. No formal charges have been laid.
The BSP in Uttar Pradesh is headed by Chief Minister Mayawati, who 
emerged as a potential kingmaker in Indian politics after state 
elections last year.
Mayawati, who goes by one name, is known as the “Queen of the Dalits” 
because of her power base among the Dalits, or untouchables.
National elections are due by May, and some analysts see her party as a 
potential third force in Indian politics behind the ruling Congress led 
administration and the main BJP opposition.





http://www.indiaenews.com/politics/20081224/167091.htm

Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Samajwadi Party protests engineer's lynching in Uttar Pradesh
 From correspondents in Delhi, India, 10:00 PM IST
The Samajwadi Party has called for a shutdown in Uttar Pradesh Thursday 
after a ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator was arrested for 
lynching a government engineer, and also has asked the central 
government to seek the governor's report on the state's law and order.
Party general secretary Amar Singh said Public Works Department engineer 
Manoj Gupta was thrashed by BSP legislator Shekhar Tiwari and his 
musclemen after he failed to raise the requisite sum demanded by the 
legislator to be given as gift to Chief Minister Mayawati on her 
birthday Jan 15.
Amar Singh said his party workers would organise a state-wide shutdown 
Thursday to protest the killing by Tiwari and his henchmen, who barged 
into the engineer's house in the middle of the night and thrashed him.
Singh said he also expected that the Congress party would also support 
the call.
The state administration said the killing had no connection with Mayawati.
Decrying the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said 
earlier a police officer, facing consistent pressure from Mayawati's 
henchmen to give fund to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), had committed 
suicide owing to his failure to do so.
Singh alleged BSP workers were behind the killing of four businessmen in 
Baghpat district as they had refused to extortion money.
In Lucknow, Samajwadi Party leaders told a press conference that state 
legislators and ministers have been asked to donate specific amounts for 
the chief minister's birthday.
'For example, Naseemuddin Siddiqui has to pay Rs.15 crore (Rs.150 
milion), Nakul Dubey has to give Rs.5 crore, Satish Mishra Rs.20 crore 
and Ram Achal Rajbhar has to give Rs.5 crore,' Samajwadi Party state 
president Shivpal Yadav said.
'The contribution has been fixed depending upon the ministry and post 
enjoyed by the legislators and MPs,' Yadav said.
The Uttar Pradesh Engineers' Association declared an indefinite strike 
to protest the killing.





http://www.rediff.com/news/2008/dec/25up-engineers-death-sparks-off-protest.htm

Engineer's murder sparks off state-wide protests in UP

Sharat Pradhan in Lucknow | December 25, 2008 21:42 IST

While the state echoed with widespread violent protests and arson 
against the brutal killing of a public works engineer by a ruling 
Bahujan Samaj Party MLA in Auraiya district about 250 Km from Lucknow in 
the wee hours on Wednesday, Uttar Pradesh [Images] Chief Minister 
Mayawati [Images] sought to give the case an interesting twist.
"Apparently, the murder was a fallout of professional rivalry and 
underhand deals within the Public Works Department," Mayawati told a 
press conference in Lucknow on Thursday afternoon.
In a desperate bid to give herself a clean-chit and clear herself of the 
charge that the engineer lost his life for refusing to concede the MLA's 
demand for money required to fill the coffers for Mayawati's birthday 
celebrations on January 15, she also hit out at the opposition for 
maligning her.
Mayawati clearly focused all her energies towards taking the spotlight 
away from the widely believed theory that the PWD executive engineer 
Manoj Kumar Gupta was beaten to death simply because he refused to 
concede BSP MLA Shekar Tiwari's extortion bid for Rs 50 lakh.
"Preliminary investigations have revealed that the murder was the result 
of some kind of professional tussle and kickbacks, " she claimed.
"The allegation that my party MLA was indulging in extortion to 
contribute money for my birthday celebrations was absolutely false, 
baseless and a part of the opposition slander campaign to malign me and 
my party," the BSP leader asserted.
Meanwhile, according to the autopsy report, Gupta's body bore 32 injury 
marks, while one of his arms was fractured. He had been given electric 
shocks, and his hair had been pulled out in chunks, the report added.
However, in a sharp deviation from Wednesday's stand about entrusting 
the case to an agency that the victim's family would prefer, Mayawati 
refused to concede the popular demand for handing over the case to the CBI.
Not only did she go about blaming it all on the opposition, but 
virtually reprimanded the media for dragging her name into the 
controversy. "What is the basis of your reports alleging that the MLA 
was induging in extortion for my birthday." she asked angrily .
She also went about harping, "I do not believe in shielding anyone 
indulging in any unlawful activity, no matter however high and mighty he 
might be. We have done so in the past and even in this case, we have 
booked BSP MLA Shekhar Tiwari under stringent laws and have put him 
behind bars and I can assure you that he will not be spared under any 
circumstances."
Meanwhile, a local court in Auraiya has remanded Tiwari to judicial 
custody until January 7. No effort was made by the state authorities to 
seek his police remand for further interrogation.
Earlier in the day , hundreds of protesters resorted to stone throwing 
and arson in Auraiya, where they torched a police outpost and a bus.
Trains were stopped in Allahabad, Etawah, Kanpur and a number of other 
districts, while roads blocks were staged in Lucknow . Over 1000 
protestors were detained by the police across the state.
Among those detained were Shivpal Yadav, acting state president of the 
Samajwadi Party, and party MP Akhilesh Yadav, who is also SP president 
Mulayam Singh Yadav's [Images] son, who were taken into custody from 
outside the State Governor's house in Lucknow along with 300 party workers.
Even as the chief minister and her entire administrative machinery has 
been working overtime to persuade and pressurize the media to believe 
that the murder had nothing to do with the money collection drive for 
her birthday on January 15 , she did not hesitate to admit that the day 
was traditionally observed as "aarthik sahyog diwas".
"We make no bones about observing my birthday as a day for seeking 
donations from our party supporters , who shell out their savings, with 
which we sustain our party," asserted Mayawati in an obvious bid to 
justify her birthday collections.
"Unlike other political parties including the Congress, Samajwadi Party 
and Bhartiya Janata Party, our Bahujan Samaj Party was not one supported 
by big industrial or business houses, therefore we have to depend on 
small contributions made by our supporters," she claimed.
Tiwari and his musclemen had allegedly barged into Gupta's house around 
0200 hrs on Wednesday, locked up his wife in the bathroom and thrashed 
the engineer after stripping him.
Around 0500 hrs, Tiwari carried a severely injured Gupta to the nearest 
police station and told the police to register a case against the 
engineer for "indulging in hooliganism".
The police, however, took him to hospital around 0700 hrs where he was 
declared dead. His two cohorts named in the FIR were yet to be arrested.
"Manoj had been telling his wife that he was under tremendous pressure 
to shell out a hefty amount for Mayawati's birthday celebrations," The 
victim's kin told rediff.com.
Every year on Jan 15, the BSP supremo holds a big birthday bash and 
party leaders at various levels are reportedly directed to make their 
assigned contributions.
She, however, added: "This time I had issued directions not to involve 
party MPs and MLAs in the fund collection , that was to be handled only 
by party functionaries."
Mayawati declared that her next birthday would be celebrated as 'dhikkar 
diwas' without the usual bash.
"BSP workers will stage rallies at all district headquarters across the 
state to condemn all political parties which have been making false and 
wild allegations about extortion of money for my birthday. They will 
expose misdeeds of the Congress-led UPA, BJP-led NDA and their allies, 
including the Samajwadi Party," she asserted.





http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/india-news/engineers-death-sparks-protest-in-uttar-pradesh_100135067.html

Engineer’’s death sparks protest in Uttar Pradesh
December 25th, 2008

Lucknow, Dec 25 (ANI): Activists of Samajwadi Party (SP) clashed with 
the police here today while protesting against the killing of an 
executive engineer allegedly by a Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator.
Samajwadi Party activists, led by state party chief Shivpal Yadav 
clashed with police while marching to Governor’’s office.
“A protest march led by Shivpal Yadav and Akhilesh Yadav from their 
party office was making its way to the Governor” office. When police 
tried to stop them, the protestors forcibly broke the barrier set up by 
the police. The police have restrained themselves so far not to use 
force against them but now they have staged a sit-in protest; as such 
the police have now arrested the protestors who were present here,” said 
Akhil Kumar Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police, Lucknow.
Samajwadi Party leader Bhagwati Singh said that they ware marching 
peacefully to submit a memorandum to the Governor demanding action 
against the Mayawati government.
“We came here to submit memorandum to the Governor to take action 
against the corrupt Uttar Pradesh government as their party workers are 
extorting money from people for the occasion of the Mayawati’’s 
birthday. Such an act is a major source of corruption in the State. The 
officials, workers and people here are facing difficulties due to this. 
We now demand that such a Government should be devoid of any powers,” he 
added.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mayawati has rejected CBI probe into the 
murder of the PWD engineer.
She strongly condemned it to be a mischievous campaign by the Opposition 
to defame her govt by linking the killing to her birthday celebrations.
“Where is the need for a CBI probe when the state police, on my orders, 
have arrested all the accused in the case,” she asked.
Shekhar Tiwari, BSP legislator, who reportedly has a criminal 
background, was taken into custody on Wednesday in connection with the 
murder of the Executive Engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta of the Uttar Pradesh 
Public Works Department (PWD).
Gupta, was reportedly battered to death, allegedly by the MLA and his 
two henchmen, for refusing to pay contribution for celebrating the 
birthday of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati next 
month, a charge Bahujan Samaj Party has denied. (ANI)






http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SP397695.htm

Hundreds detained over north India protests-police
25 Dec 2008 13:58:19 GMT
Source: Reuters
LUCKNOW, India, Dec 25 (Reuters) - Police fired teargas and live rounds 
into the air to disperse hundreds of protesters who took to the streets 
in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday after the killing of 
a senior public servant.
The protesters, from the opposition Samajwadi Party, stopped trains in 
several cities and and blocked traffic in the state capital Lucknow. 
Police said they detained nearly 1,000 protesters.
The most violent protests took place in the city of Auraiya, where 
television footage showed stone-throwing protesters and several burning 
buses.
"We were compelled to fire a few rounds in the air and also release some 
teargas shells on Samajwadi Party activists," a senior police official 
said by telephone from Auraiya.
Police also used batons in several areas to disperse protesters, who had 
vowed to bring Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state, to a 
standstill with a statewide strike on Thursday.
Public works engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta was found beaten to death in 
Auraiya on Wednesday.
A lawmaker from the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was taken into 
custody in connection with Gupta's death and will be held until he 
appears in court on Jan. 7, police said. No formal charges have been laid.
The BSP in Uttar Pradesh is headed by Chief Minister Mayawati, who 
emerged as a potential kingmaker in Indian politics after state 
elections last year.
Mayawati, who goes by one name, is known as the "Queen of the Dalits" 
because of her power base among the Dalits, or untouchables.
National elections are due by May, and some analysts see her party as a 
potential third force in Indian politics behind the ruling Congress-led 
administration and the main BJP opposition. (Reporting by Sharat 
Pradhan; editing by Tim Pearce)






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122660061000.htm

National

Samajwadi Party workers stage protest
Atiq Khan

Samajwadi Party cadres demonstrating in Lucknow on Thursday against the 
alleged involvement of Shekhar Tiwari, BSP legislator from Auraiya, in 
the murder of PWD engineer M.K. Gupta. (Bottom) Tiwari comes out of the 
Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Auraiya.
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party workers on Thursday resorted to stone throwing 
and made an attempt to torch a police outpost in Auraiya town of Uttar 
Pradesh in protest against the killing of PWD engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta 
and alleged extortion by the Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs for giving 
donations to Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday on January 15.
ADGP( Law and Order) Brij Lal said three companies of the Provincial 
Armed Constabulary were deployed in Auraiya and the DIG, Kanpur Range, 
was asked to camp in the town.
Mr. Lal described the situation as under control.
A symbolic protest was staged by SP workers in Allahabad by stopping 
trains, the ADGP said.
About 100 SP workers, led by State unit president, Shivpal Singh Yadav 
and Kannauj MP Akhilesh Singh (the former Chief Minister, Mulayam 
Singh’s son) were arrested at the Raj Bhawan here.
SP workers staged a demonstration at the party office and marched to the 
Raj Bhawan where they were arrested. They were released later.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122654680500.htm

Other States - Uttar Pradesh

Samajwadi workers protest
Atiq Khan
About 100 party workers arrested at Raj Bhawan
________________________________________
Demand for Rs.25 lakh ex-gratia relief for Gupta’s family
“We will continue with our strike till our demands are met”
________________________________________
LUCKNOW: Samajwadi Party workers on Thursday resorted to stone throwing 
and made an attempt to torch a police outpost in Auraiya town of Uttar 
Pradesh in protest against the killing of PWD engineer Manoj Kumar Gupta 
and alleged extortion by the Bahujan Samaj Party MLAs for giving 
donations to Chief Minister Mayawati’s birthday on January 15.
ADGP( Law and Order) Brij Lal said three companies of the Provincial 
Armed Constabulary were deployed in Auraiya and the DIG, Kanpur Range, 
was asked to camp in the town. Mr. Lal described the situation as under 
control.
A symbolic protest was staged by SP workers in Allahabad by stopping 
trains, the ADGP said.
About 100 SP workers, led by State unit president, Shivpal Singh Yadav 
and Kannauj MP Akhilesh Singh (the former Chief Minister, Mulayam 
Singh’s son) were arrested at the Raj Bhawan here.
SP workers staged a demonstration at the party office and marched to the 
Raj Bhawan where they were arrested and taken to the Reserve Police 
Lines. They were released later.
Engineers go on indefinite strike
PTI adds: Meanwhile the Uttar Pradesh Engineers Association on Thursday 
went on a state-wide indefinite strike saying the cease work will 
continue till its demands in connection with PWD Engineer M K Gupta’s 
murder are met.
Seeking a CBI enquiry into the killing of Gupta in Auraiya on Wednesday, 
the engineers also demanded Rs.25 lakh ex-gratia relief for his family, 
security cover for the members, a class 2 category job for Gupta’s wife 
and a type IV residence for the family.
The association has already sent its demands to Chief Minister Mayawati. 
Claiming support of many other engineer associations, UPEA president 
Akhtar Ali Farooqui said, “We have got both the written and oral support 
of engineer associations from 15 states and we will do everything 
democratically to ensure that our demands are met.
“We will continue with our strike till our demands are met.”





http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/politics/samajwadi-party-protests-engineers-lynching-in-uttar-pradesh-lead_100134808.html
Samajwadi Party protests engineer’s lynching in Uttar Pradesh (Lead)
December 24th, 2008 - 11:11 pm ICT by IANS

New Delhi, Dec 24 (IANS) The Samajwadi Party has called for a shutdown 
in Uttar Pradesh Thursday after a ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) 
legislator was arrested for lynching a government engineer, and also has 
asked the central government to seek the governor’s report on the 
state’s law and order.Party general secretary Amar Singh said Public 
Works Department engineer Manoj Gupta was thrashed by BSP legislator 
Shekhar Tiwari and his musclemen after he failed to raise the requisite 
sum demanded by the legislator to be given as gift to Chief Minister 
Mayawati on her birthday Jan 15.
Amar Singh said his party workers would organise a state-wide shutdown 
Thursday to protest the killing by Tiwari and his henchmen, who barged 
into the engineer’s house in the middle of the night and thrashed him.
Singh said he also expected that the Congress party would also support 
the call.
The state administration said the killing had no connection with Mayawati.
Decrying the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said 
earlier a police officer, facing consistent pressure from Mayawati’s 
henchmen to give fund to the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), had committed 
suicide owing to his failure to do so.
Singh alleged BSP workers were behind the killing of four businessmen in 
Baghpat district as they had refused to extortion money.
In Lucknow, Samajwadi Party leaders told a press conference that state 
legislators and ministers have been asked to donate specific amounts for 
the chief minister’s birthday.
“For example, Naseemuddin Siddiqui has to pay Rs.15 crore (Rs.150 
milion), Nakul Dubey has to give Rs.5 crore, Satish Mishra Rs.20 crore 
and Ram Achal Rajbhar has to give Rs.5 crore,” Samajwadi Party state 
president Shivpal Yadav said.
“The contribution has been fixed depending upon the ministry and post 
enjoyed by the legislators and MPs,” Yadav said.
The Uttar Pradesh Engineers’ Association declared an indefinite strike 
to protest the killing.





http://www.thehindu.com/2009/01/01/stories/2009010154180500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar

Activists of PR, Congress clash
Staff Reporter
Mohd. Ali Shabbir’s remarks on Pawan Kalyan draw flak
KARIMNAGAR: Mild tension prevailed in Karimnagar town when Praja Rajyam 
activists and fans of film star Pawan Kalyan and Congress party 
activists clashed over the reported remarks by Minister Mohd. Ali 
Shabbir against the film star on Wednesday.
The Praja Rajyam leaders led by co-convenor Mohd. Arif and Pawan Kalyan 
Fans Association town president B. Madhu and others went in a procession 
to the Indira Gandhi statue to submit a memorandum in a symbolic 
appealIndira Gandhi to change the attitude of the Minister and help him 
strive for the welfare of the minorities and other sections of the 
society. They also condemned the Minister’s remarks .
Getting wind of the news, some of the Congress minority cell activists 
led by Ahmed Khan, Javed Khan and others came in a procession along with 
an effigy of Pawan Kalyan and tried to set fire to it at Indira chowk. 
At this juncture, the PR leaders, who were in large numbers, obstructed 
their attempts and a clash ensued.
The police led by Town Circlel Inspector Ganapath Jadhav swung into 
action and dispersed the mob. He took the PR leaders into custody . 
Later, the Congress leaders set fire to the effigy of Pawan Kalyan and 
raised slogans against him and his party.
At the police station, Praja Rajyam leader Mohd. Arif demanded the 
arrest of Congress leaders for obstructing their peaceful demonstration 
after taking police permission. He alleged that the Congress leaders had 
come on to the roads without taking any permission from the police and 
attacked the PRP leaders.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/24/stories/2008122453290300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore

Journalists stage demonstration
Staff Reporter
Coimbatore: Nearly hundred journalists from various media organisations 
representing both print and electronic media staged a demonstration in 
front of Red Cross Society Buildings on Huzur Road in the city in 
protest against the recent assault on media persons at Vettaikaranpudur, 
near Pollachi, during a clash between two groups.
On Sunday evening a clash occurred between two groups in which two 
police personnel and a sub-inspector besides four home guards sustained 
injuries.
The attack also resulted in the photo and video camera equipment of the 
four journalists being damaged. Journalists had already preferred a 
complaint and the journalists in Pollachi staged a demonstration on Monday.
In Coimbatore, members of Coimbatore Press Club, Coimbatore Journalists 
Association and Tamil Nadu Press Club staged a demonstration and raised 
slogans demanding the arrest of the accused, protection for journalists 
while on duty and legal amendment ensuring the same.





http://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20081220/1133214.html

Puducherry Journalists Union stages demonstration
Puducherry | Saturday, Dec 20 2008 IST
Puducherry Journalists Union today held a demonstration infront of the 
police head quarters here demanding action against the police personnel 
who attacked the photo journalists inside the court complex here yesterday.
A large number of scribes, including leaders of AIADMK, BJP, NCP, RJD, 
BSP, VCK, Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam and Federation for Peoples Rights, 
also joined the agitation.
Alleging that the Puducherry Chief Minister was not taking any action, 
they demanded immediate arrest of the culprits.
Later, they submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking proper 
action against the police personnel and adequate compensation to the 
affected scribes.
Earlier, the scribes took out a procession from the Puducherry Press 
Club to the police head quarters.
-- (UNI)





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/21/stories/2008122150840300.htm

Other States - Puducherry

Journalists take out protest rally
PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry Journalists’ Union on Saturday took out a 
rally from the Press Club to the office of the Director-General of 
Police (DGP) to condemn the police action against a few cameramen while 
covering the incident on the court premises on Friday.
The rally went through S.V. Patel Salai, M.G. Road, J.N. Street, and 
Mission Street, before reaching the DGP’s office.




http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/15/stories/2008121556170300.htm

Karnataka - Mysore

Church members stage demonstration
Special Correspondent
Members of Wesley Cathedral seek removal of pastor
— PHOTO: M.A. SRIRAM

Clarifying: Father Johnson Paul addressing the members of Wesley 
Cathedral in Mysore on Sunday.
MYSORE: A few people staged a demonstration here on Sunday seeking the 
removal of the pastor of Wesley Cathedral. Sources said slogans were 
raised against the pastor Johnson Paul, who is also the chairman of the 
Area Property Committee, in connection with a transaction regarding a 
property belonging to the Church of South India (CSI).
Allegation
The protesters alleged that the Mission Bungalow, a property of the 
church where a rehabilitation centre was functioning, was leased to a 
U.S.-based company after the residents were forced to leave.
The trouble began as soon as the prayers started when the members 
questioned the pastor. About 800 people were presentand a few people 
demanded that the pastor step down.
The members objected to the reported agreement and expressed fears that 
a historic structure would be effaced if the project was allowed to take 
shape.
However, Fr. Johnson Paul clarified that the ownership of the property 
had not changed and it continued to vest with the CSI Trust Association.
Proposal
He said that they had received a proposal from a U.S.-based health group 
for the construction of a hospital and health care centre at the venue.
The proposal was discussed in the Area Council Meeting and the committee 
members approved it on certain conditions, including giving preference 
to the local community while allocating jobs.
However, it was regrettable that a few members were misinterpreting the 
MoU which was signed between the church and the healthcare group, added 
Fr. Johnson Paul.
Security arrangements were stepped up at the church following the 
demonstration.






http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/protest-in-orissa-against-arrest-of-kandhamal-book-author_100129778.html

Protest in Orissa against arrest of Kandhamal book author
December 11th, 2008 - 5:44 pm ICT by IANS -
Bhubaneswar, Dec 11 (IANS) Rights activists, journalists and writers 
sported black badges and gagged their mouth Thursday as they staged a 
sit-in outside the official residence of the Orissa governor here to 
protest the arrest of a journalist for writing a book on the recent 
violence in Kandhamal.Lenin Kumar, the editor of the quarterly magazine 
Nishan, was arrested Monday after his book “Dharma Nare Kandhamalare 
Raktara Banya” (Flood of blood in Kandhamal in the name of religion) 
came out. Police termed the publication provocative and intended to 
disturb communal harmony.
Two others who helped him print and circulate the book are also arrested 
and jailed in Bhubaneswar after their bail pleas were rejected.
The protesters sat in front of the governor’s house for nearly three 
hours holding placards and banners that read “Stop communalism”, “Free 
Lenin and others with apology”, “Thinking and writing is not crime”, and 
“Support the right to Dissent”.
A delegation later handed over a memorandum to the officials at the 
governor’s house demanding immediate release of the writer.
“Police have tortured my husband, violating all basic human rights,” 
Lenin’s wife Rumita Kundu said as protests were organised in 
Bhabanipatna town in Kalahandi district Tuesday.
“Everybody has the right to express his thoughts. It is an attempt by 
the government to suppress writers who have independent voices,” eminent 
writer and columnist Bibhuti Patnaik said.
Added civil rights activist Sudhir Patnaik: “It is a move to curb free, 
frank and fearless speech of writers and journalists.”
The Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), journalist associations 
and writers associations across the state have also issued statements 
condemning the arrest of Lenin.
Police has claimed it has seized at least 700 copies of the book from 
the printing press.
Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread 
communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader 
Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23.
While the police blamed Maoists for the killings, some Hindu 
organisations held Christians responsible for the crime and launched 
attacks on the community.
Thousands of Christians were forced to flee from their homes after their 
houses were attacked by rampaging mobs. About 8,000 people are still 
living in government-run relief camps in the district.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121251280300.htm

Karnataka - Shimoga

Congress, JD(S) stage noisy protest
Special Correspondent
They complain of protocol lapse; ZP president and CEO promise action
________________________________________
Restrictions on protest come in for criticism
‘They are in place following Chief Minister’s order’
________________________________________

MONTHLY MEETING: The Shimoga Zilla Panchayat in session on Thursday.
SHIMOGA: Members of the Congress and the Janata Dal (S) staged a noisy 
demonstration at the monthly meeting of the Shimoga Zilla Panchayat here 
on Thursday complaining that they were being insulted by not being 
invited to people’s contact programmes which was a clear case of 
protocol lapse.
The members raised the issue even as the house began its proceedings 
urging the administration to see that such things were not allowed to 
happen in future.
President of the zilla panchayat Chandra Kumar and Chief Executive 
Officer V. Anbukumar promised the agitated members that they would ask 
the taluk-level officers to follow protocol strictly.
The restrictions imposed by Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Pandey on 
protest demonstrations on his office premises came in for sharp 
criticism by the members.
They said it was a matter of concern that people would have to go to 
jail if they staged a demonstration within the office premises to seek 
justice.
“This situation is reminiscent of the days of Emergency,” they said.
A member alleged that the Deputy Commissioner was helpless in the matter 
as he had to abide by the order of the Chief Minister who appeared to 
have asked him to avoid protest demonstrations on his office premises.
A member, Shantaveera Naik, drew the attention of the members when he 
alleged that a large-scale scandal had taken place in the programme to 
remove silt in public tanks. He said that the officers concerned were 
misleading the district administration by providing wrong information.
He said that there was a violation of law in the transfer of tanks 
coming under the purview of the zilla panchayat to the Minor Irrigation 
Department and criticised the decision on handing over such tanks to the 
department.
Mr. Naik questioned the propriety in taking up development of tanks 
coming under the jurisdiction of the zilla panchayat by the department. 
He said that it had made the engineering section of the zilla panchayat 
irrelevant.
B.R. Jayanth, who joined issue, suggested that the tanks coming under 
jurisdiction of the zilla panchayat should be listed as many of them had 
been encroached upon.
Executive engineer of Minor Irrigation Department said that while the 
public tanks were under the control of the Deputy Commissioner, their 
maintenance had been entrusted to gram panchayats. He said that the 
development of tanks was being taken up at the instruction of Cabinet 
sub-committee.
Mr. Naik brought the issue of chemical fertilizers and pesticides being 
stocked to the notice of the meeting. He alleged that artificial 
scarcity had been created with government officials colluding with 
fertilizer dealers.
He said that fertilizers were being sold at a premium of Rs. 500 a tonne 
over the recommended prices which had caused inconvenience to farmers.
K. Ashokmurthy suggested that cooperative societies should be allowed to 
make direct purchase of fertilizers from companies to avoid 
irregularities in distribution.
Mr. Chandra Kumar said that he would convene a meeting of the 
representatives of the Cooperative Marketing Federation, dealers of 
fertilizers and officials of the Agriculture Department in 15 days to 
sort out the problem.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/12/stories/2008121251080300.htm

Karnataka

Protest against police action
Correspondent
________________________________________
Villagers submit memorandum
________________________________________
Karwar: Villagers of Tatwanagi, led by public representatives, staged a 
protest in front of the Tahsildar’s office at Haliyal on Wednesday 
against the alleged police atrocity on the gram panchayat president. 
They submitted a memorandum to the Tahsildar.
In the memorandum, the villagers alleged that a case was filed against 
Tatwanagi Gram Panchayat president Abdul Aziz Davalsaab. The police 
allegedly entered the house of Davalsaab at midnight and dragged him out 
and misbehaved with him. The next day he was released owing to public 
pressure.
Then he was asked to go to the police station at Haliyal to sign a 
document. When Davalsaab went there, the police made him sit through the 
day. Then he was handcuffed in the evening and produced in court with 
his family, the villagers alleged. The memorandum pointed out that 
though he was a public representative he was treated a like a criminal.
Haliyal Tahsildar Aziz Desai, who accepted the memorandum, promised the 
protesters that he would send the memorandum to the authorities concerned.







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122651890300.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Kadapa

All-party protests against attack
KADAPA: Functionaries of Telugu Desam, CPI and CPI (M) staged dharna 
before Chinna Chowk police station on Thursday demanding stern action 
Congressmen, who allegedly attacked CPI (M) sympathisers at 
Ramakrishnanagar here on Wednesday night.
In all, 17 CPI (M) members and four Congressmen sustained injuries, 
according to the police. –Staff Reporter






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/26/stories/2008122654030400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Journalists protest Mareppa’s remarks
Staff Reporter
— Photo: R.V.S. Prasad

ANGRY LOT: Journalists burning an effigy of Marketing Minister M. 
Mareppa during a protest in Anantapur on Thursday.
ANANTAPUR: Journalists led by the district unit of Andhra Pradesh Union 
of Working Journalists (APUWJ) staged a protest here on Thursday against 
Minister for Marketing M. Mareppa for his reported remarks against a 
section of the media.
The Minister is reported to have called upon people at a public meeting 
at Kalayandurgam in Anantapur district to beat reporters with chappals 
for filing false news.
The protesting scribes led by district president M. Ramalinga Reddy, 
treasurer P. Ramkrishna, Addala Ramakrishna, D. Rajagopal, A. 
Ravichandra, Lokeshwar Reddy, J.Y. Nagi Reddy and others staged a 
demonstration at Sapthagiri Circle and later burnt an effigy of the 
Minister.
They condemned the remarks of the Minister and said they amounted to 
violation of freedom of the press.
State president of APRS K. Ramakrishna also condemned the reported 
remarks of the ministers and demanded an apology from him.
He alleged that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy had become a torch 
bearer for such Ministers indulging in undemocratic utterances as he 
himself was making irresponsible remarks very often both against the 
media and opposition parties.
Meanwhile, the APUWJ sought an unconditional apology for his 
“intemperate and undemocratic” remarks.
Stating that journalists did not need the advice of Mr. Mareppa on what 
they should report and what they should not, the APUWJ has asked Chief 
Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to check the Minister in the interests 
of democratic polity and freedom of press.
Condemning the remark, APUWJ general secretary Y. Narendar Reddy urged 
the Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to rein in his erring Minister.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/21/stories/2008122150060100.htm

Front Page

Protests throw traffic out of gear
Special Correspondent
CHENNAI: Traffic was thrown out of gear on the busy Anna Salai and 
General Patters Road here after cadres of different political parties 
staged road roko and demonstrations on Saturday.
Tension prevailed in front of Satyamurthi Bhavan on General Patters Road 
when a large number of Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (PDK) cadres raised 
slogans condemning the arrest of party leader Kolathur Mani. As the 
vehicles piled up, the police diverted traffic through other routes.
Even as the police intervened and took away the protestors, a group of 
Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) cadres came to Satyamurthi Bhavan 
and targeted the building.
Within minutes, Congress functionaries marched to Anna Salai and 
squatted on the road demanding the arrest of those responsible for the 
attack. Another group took out a procession on General Patters Road 
condemning the assault.
In the process, traffic on several roads was disrupted for a few hours.
Being a Saturday, not much of traffic police had been deployed in the 
area, resulting in chaos.
Since the agitators took to the road suddenly, it took some time for the 
police to react and make diversions, police sources said.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/16/stories/2008121655020300.htm

Kerala - Kozhikode

Union registers protest
Kozhikode: The district committee of the Kerala Water Workers’ Employees 
Union has registered their protest against the attack on water authority 
officers and contractors who tried to stop ‘water theft by the hotel 
owners in the city.’ — Staff Reporter







http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/07/stories/2008120753920400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

TDB holds interviews amid protests
Special Correspondent
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Braving protests by youth organisations, the 
Travancore Devaswom Board conducted interviews for the post of lower 
division clerk here on Saturday.
 From early morning, a tense situation prevailed at the board 
headquarters. A huge posse of police was posted there. Activists of the 
All India Youth Federation, Democratic Youth Federation of India and 
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha marched to the office demanding that the 
interview be stopped. AIYF and DYFI activists entered the board premises 
and staged a protest. There were attempts to block the candidates who 
came for the interview. The police arrested the activists.
Board sources said that memos were despatched to 68 candidates, of whom 
28 turned up. While president C.K. Guptan and member P.K. Sumathy Kutty 
Amma interviewed candidates, another member K. Narayanan abstained from 
the process.
AIYF State president V.S. Sunil Kumar later demanded that the government 
expel Mr. Guptan and Ms. Sumathy Kutty Amma and annul the proceedings. 
He demanded that the vacancies be reported to the Public Service Commission.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/07/stories/2008120752630300.htm

Karnataka

JD(S) workers protest ‘maladministration’
Staff Correspondent
DAVANGERE: Janata Dal (S) workers led by H.S. Shivashankar and N.G. 
Puttaswamy took out a procession here on Saturday protesting against the 
‘maladministration’ by the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The workers raised slogans against the BJP Government and against Chief 
Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa all through the procession. They demanded that 
the Chief Minister step down as he had “failed” to provide basic 
requirements such as power to the people, particularly farmers. The 
administration had come to a standstill, the agitators said, adding that 
the morale of government officers was at an all-time low as mass 
transfers were being carried out. The party workers submitted a 
memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner in which they said people were 
disillusioned with the way the BJP Government had been ruling the State 
and said the Chief Minister had no moral right to continue in office. 
They said the crime rate in all districts had shot up as power supplying 
companies had resorted to frequent disruptions that too during evenings. 
They blamed the BJP for “buying” legislators which had resulted in the 
byelections. The party workers called upon the voters to teach such 
leaders a lesson and “restore democracy.” The JD(S) workers in Harihar 
and Chennagiri also staged dharnas in front of the taluk offices.





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/30/stories/2008123053620400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Karimnagar

Protests mar YSR’s visit
Staff Reporter
Telugu Desam Party activists caned while obstructing Chief Minister’s 
convoy
Photo: UPPU DAMODAR

Reining in: TDP leaders being whisked into a police van at Nusthullapur 
village on the outskirts of Karimnagar on Monday. —
KARIMNAGAR: The visit of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy to 
Karimnagar on Monday was marred by arrest of opposition leaders, 
obstruction of his convoy and caning of demonstrators by police.
Though the police made tight security arrangements, the opposition 
parties managed to obstruct the Chief Minister’s programme in protest 
against the failure of the State government to stop construction of 
Babli project in Maharashtra.
Near Nusthullapur village, TDP activists were caned by the police when 
they tried to block Dr. Reddy’s convoy. Some party men sustained serious 
injuries while several others were arrested.
Leaders held
Earlier in the day, the police picked up important leaders of the TDP, 
TRS, BJP and the Left parties from parts of the town and lodged them in 
various police stations to avert untoward incidents.
In spite of the unprecedented security, a few Telugu Mahila activists 
managed to enter the convention of self-help groups from the north 
Telangana addressed by Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.
They tried to disrupt the meeting demanding that the Chief Minister take 
firm measures to stop construction of Babli and other projects across 
Godavari in Maharashtra. Unfazed by the interruption, the Chief Minister 
invited a burkha-clad woman on to the dais to speak.
Later, Telugu Desam legislator Sana Maruthi, district party president L. 
Ramana, CPI legislator Chada Venkat Reddy and others staged a dharna 
near Gandhi statue condemning the arrests and caning of the opposition 
leaders.
Meanwhile, at the inauguration of Congress office building, some party 
leaders put up banners demanding that former Telangana Rashtra Samiti 
legislators, who rebelled against the party, should not be allowed into 
the Congress as they had betrayed their own party and also the cause of 
a separate statehood for Telangana, they said.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/24/stories/2008122461471400.htm

Front Page

Left parties protest passage of Bills without discussion
New Delhi Bureau
NEW DELHI: The Left parties on Tuesday staged vociferous protests inside 
and outside Parliament against the manner in which Bills were passed 
amid pandemonium.
As members of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) stormed into the well of 
the Lok Sabha demanding sacking of Union Minister for Minority Affairs 
A.R. Antulay, Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal proceeded with the 
business which included passage of Bills, undeterred by noise and 
disruption.
Simultaneously, Left MPs rose to protest the move by the government to 
transact the business of passage of the Bills without any discussion. A 
total of nine Bills were passed in just over 15 minutes. While some Left 
MPs entered the well of the House, others occupied the aisles and many 
were seen tearing up papers protesting the move. Soon after, the MPs 
staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha and held an impromptu “sit-in” 
outside the main gate of the Parliament House.
Similar scenes were seen in the Rajya Sabha. Left MPs along with members 
from the Telugu Desam Party and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra 
Kazhagam coalesced into a slogan-shouting bloc distinct from the BJP 
members demanding the removal of Mr. Antulay.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned till noon. When it reconvened the 
Left-AIADMK-TDP protests became more vociferous with some entering the 
well and while a few were seen tearing up papers and this forced another 
adjournment.
By voice vote
The Bills that were cleared by voice vote in the Lok Sabha included the 
High Court and Supreme Court Judges (Salaries and Conditions of Service) 
Amendment Bill, Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, Compensatory 
Afforestation Fund Bill and South Asian University Bill. “The passage of 
nine Bills in such a fashion is unprecedented. I have been in Parliament 
for 20 years, this has never happened. This is the beginning of the end 
and I do not know when the dignity of the House will be restored,” 
lamented Communist Party of India (CPI) leader Gurudas Dasgupta.
Speaking to journalists outside Parliament, he said the manner in which 
the proceedings were stalled showed Parliament was being held to ransom 
by some members and, taking advantage of the situation, the government 
was getting the Bills passed. CPI (M) Parliamentary Party leader Basudeb 
Acharia charged the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party with 
“killing democracy” together since so many important Bills were passed 
without any discussion. “This is not a good sign for democracy. This has 
never happened in Parliamentary history.”The Left MPs boycotted the 
valedictory reference after which the Lok Sabha was adjourned sine die.
BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain said the government move to pass 
Bills under the cover of noise was “regrettable.”





http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/20/stories/2008122055170400.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Lawyers’ association registers protest
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala High Court Advocates’ Association on 
Friday registered its protest against the actions of Chief Minister V.S. 
Achuthanandan and Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy in meeting the 
Prime Minister and demanding a High Court Bench in Thiruvananthapuram. 
Jacob Varghese, president of the association, said the Chief Minister 
and the Opposition leader had not consulted the Bar Association of 
various districts before placing the demand before the Prime Minister.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/14/stories/2008121451760300.htm

Karnataka

A novel protest in Karwar
Correspondent

Agitation: Social activist and writer Madhav Nayak polishing shoes 
outside Anjaneya temple in Karwar on Saturday.
Karwar: Karwar city witnessed a novel protest by social activist and 
writer Madhav Nayak on Saturday.
Mr. Nayak sat outside Anjaneya temple in Maruti Galli in Karwar and 
polished shoes of devotees who visited the temple as a mark of 
“atonement” for having supported Ganapati Ulvekar during the last 
Assembly election.
Mr. Ulvekar, who is the president of the Karwar Municipal Council, 
recently joined Minister for Fisheries and Science and Technology Anand 
Asnotikar’s camp after waging a political battle against the Asnotikar 
family.
Mr. Ulvekar, who was one-time confidant of the Asnotikar family, fell 
apart with them during the last Assembly election and contested as a 
rebel candidate against Mr. Anand Asnotikar, who was then with the 
Congress.
Mr. Ulvekar was defeated by Mr. Anand Asnotikar by a margin of 27,000 
votes. Mr. Nayak had supported Mr. Ulvekar then.
However, a few days ago, Mr. Ulvekar joined the Bhartiya Janata Party in 
presence of the party’s State unit leaders. Mr. Anand Asnotikar is 
contesting the byelection from Karwar as the BJP candidate. Sources 
close to Mr. Ulvekar have said that his decision to join the BJP was 
guided by his business interests.
Mr. Nayak sat in front of the temple and polished shoes to protest 
against what he termed as the “moral fall” of Mr. Ulvekar.
He told presspersons that some of Mr. Nayak’s friends had advised him 
not to support Mr. Ulvekar because they had said he would join Mr. Anand 
Asnotikar in the future. Mr. Nayak had then said that he would polish 
shoes of devotees in front of the Anjaneya temple if Mr. Ulvekar joined 
Mr. Anand Asnotikar. He said Mr. Ulvekar had let down the people who had 
supported him.
On learning about Mr. Nayak’s protest, Mr. Ulvekar and about 60 of his 
supporters came to the spot and tried to attack him.
The police, who were present in large numbers, cordoned off the area.
Later, Mr. Ulvekar told pressperson that he would “unmask” Mr. Nayak if 
he continued such “gimmicks”.








http://www.telegraphindia.com/1081227/jsp/northeast/story_10305095.jsp

Killing triggers Manipur protest
- IRB jawan dragged out of car, shot in front of wife, kids OUR 
CORRESPONDENT

Protesters block the highway at Pandongbam Lamkhai in Imphal East 
district on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections
Imphal, Dec. 26: Irate residents of Sekta Makha Leikai today blocked the 
Imphal-Ukhrul road since noon, demanding arrest of the culprits involved 
in the killing of an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) jawan.
Unidentified gunmen shot dead Shijagurumayum Surjit Sharma, 31, a 
resident of Sekta Makha Leikai, in front of his wife Chanusana Devi and 
their two minor sons in Imphal East last night.
Surjit, a rifleman of the 4th IRB was under suspension. He was suspended 
in 2005 after he was caught by a mob for allegedly robbing two youths in 
Singjamei of Imphal West district.
Chanusana said three gunmen stopped their car near Pundongbam, while 
they were way home in a car along with their two sons, aged three and one.
“They requested us for a lift and to take them to Sekta Awang Leikai, a 
village near Sekta Makha Leikai. The three got into the backseat of the 
car. When we reached the destination they told my husband to take them 
up to Lousangkhong, a village beyond Sekta Awang Leikai. On reaching 
Lousangkhong, they wanted to go further. When my husband told them he 
could not take them any further, one of them fired at him,” she said.
“While two gunmen got off the car at Lousangkhong, the one seated in the 
middle pulled out a small weapon and shot Surjit on the back of the head 
from point blank range. The other two pulled out the injured and 
bleeding Surjit out of the car and again fired four to five rounds at 
him,” Chanusana, who was still shaking with fear, recalled.
“They killed my husband right in front of me and our two young children. 
This is inhuman,” she said.
“My husband did not do anything to anyone. The killers should own up and 
tell us why they killed him,” Chanusana said.
The assailants left the place on foot. No arrests have been made. No 
group has claimed responsibility either.
The residents of the locality held a meeting at the Sekta lower primary 
school ground this morning and formed a joint action committee to take 
up the matter with chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh.
A resolution adopted at the meeting set a two-day deadline for the Ibobi 
Singh government to track down the culprits. It also demanded a 
government job for his wife.
After the meeting, the villagers took out a procession and then blocked 
the Imphal-Ukhrul road at Pungdongbam close to Sekta.
Police, however, persuaded the protesters to lift the blockade later in 
the afternoon.
“We will wait for two days for the government to trace the culprits. If 
it fails to find them, we will launch an intensive agitation,” I. Rabi 
Singh, convenor of the action committee, said.






http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/11/stories/2008121154390400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

MDMK protest demands apology from Sri Lankan Army Chief
Special Correspondent
— Photo: M. Vedhan

airing his demand: MDMK general secretary Vaiko addressing party workers 
in Chennai on Thursday.
CHENNAI: MDMK general secretary Vaiko on Wednesday said that India’s 
military aid to Sri Lanka had emboldened the island nation and its army 
chief Sarath Fonseka to pass remarks against Tamil Nadu politicians.
Addressing a demonstration organised by his party demanding that India 
seek an unconditional apology from Mr. Fonseka, Mr. Vaiko said he would 
only blame the Central government for the entire episode. The protest 
was held on TTK Road leading to the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission.
He also accused the Union government of not honouring the plea of the 
Tamil Nadu leaders who had sought its intervention to stop the war in 
Sri Lanka.
“External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee’s visit is not going to 
help.” CPI assistant secretary C. Mahendran said India should close down 
the operations of the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission in Chennai and 
expel the Deputy High Commissioner if Mr. Fonseka failed to tender an 
apology.
Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P. Nedumaran and Sri Lankan MP 
Sivajilingam participated.