Monthly Archives: February 2012

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday slammed Delhi Police for the excessive use of force during the midnight eviction of Baba Ramdev’s supporters from Ramlila Maidan on June 4 last year, calling it a case of police excess, human rights’ violation, abuse of power and assault on democratic values enshrined in the Constitution and asked for criminal prosecution of cops.

The court laid part of the blame for injuries to people also at the yoga guru’s door saying he, instead of asking his followers to disperse peacefully, insisted on continuing with the rally. It also asked for the prosecution of Ramdev’s supporters who engaged in brick-batting and vandalism.

Indian police have detained two members of an Italian navy security team over the fatal shooting of two fishermen from an Italian oil tanker.

The incident took place off the coast of the southern state of Kerala last Wednesday.

Italian officials said the Indian fishing boat had behaved aggressively and ignored warning shots.

They said they opened fire, mistaking the fishermen for pirates. India said the fishermen were unarmed.

The incident has sparked a major diplomatic row between the two countries, with Indian police opening a murder enquiry into the deaths.

Indian Defence Minister AK Antony has described the killings as “very serious” and an “unfortunate incident”.

The Italian ambassador in Delhi was summoned by the foreign ministry on Thursday over the shooting.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Margaret Sekaggya, has recommended the repealing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act AFSPA) and Jammu and Kashmir Public Safety Act (PSA).
She has made the recommendation in her report. Sekaggya visited India from January 10 to 21 last year to assess the current situation of human rights defenders. She also paid a visit to Kashmir.
The report besides throwing light on AFSPA and PSA, also refers to Jalil Andrabi’s killing, Shopian “rape and murder”, killing of journalists and press censorship during the civilian unrest. It has also made certain recommendations for protecting the human rights defenders.