India
04.10.07
Urgent Interventions
India: Violence against and harassment of Dalit villagers involved in peaceful protest
OMCT has received information from reliable sources regarding the situation of the inhabitants of Kolathur, a village located on coastal backwaters in the Chithambur Panchayat, Cheiyur Block of Kancheepuram District in Tamil Nadu State, India.
OMCT expresses its strong concern that, in attempting to speak out against the impact of an illegally-located aquafarm on their health and economic status, the villagers of Kolathur have been subjected to police violence and harassment and have had false charges of a serious nature brought against them by the owner of this farm. OMCT is also concerned that the villagers may be subjected to further harassment and violence should they continue to contest the legality of the aquafarm. Finally, OMCT expresses its concern that pollution from this aquafarm is compromising the villagers’ full enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights, and specifically those to an adequate standard of living and the highest attainable standard of health.
OMCT expresses its strong concern that, in attempting to speak out against the impact of an illegally-located aquafarm on their health and economic status, the villagers of Kolathur have been subjected to police violence and harassment and have had false charges of a serious nature brought against them by the owner of this farm. OMCT is also concerned that the villagers may be subjected to further harassment and violence should they continue to contest the legality of the aquafarm. Finally, OMCT expresses its concern that pollution from this aquafarm is compromising the villagers’ full enjoyment of their economic, social and cultural rights, and specifically those to an adequate standard of living and the highest attainable standard of health.