Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from civil society groups regarding death threats, arbitrary detention and harassment of members of the Meyor community, a group of indigenous people in Arunachal Pradesh. They are being targeted for their activities on conservation of community land and natural resources. The Meyor community with about 450 members is classified as one of the Scheduled Tribes under the Indian Constitution and is mostly confined to the Anjaw district of the state. They have been criticized for opposing government activities that includes conversion of community land to reserved forest land and corruption in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
CASE NARRATIVE:
Several representatives of the community assumed a leadership role. They are, namely:
Mr. Chung Meyor, 33, Dhanbari village
Mr.Chaping Meyor, 55, Gaon Bura (village chief), Khroati village
Mr. Unchen Meyor, 45, Barakhundun village
Mr. Chethel Meyor, 25, Dhanbari village
Mr. Tharpa Meyor, 26, Musai village
Mr. Tenzing Dorjee Meyor, 30, Sotakhundun village
Mr. Fendey Meyor, 30, Musai village of Arunachal Pradesh
These men protested the conversion of the community forest land of Walong and Kibitho area into reserved forest land because it was carried out without the free, prior and informed consent of the Meyor community.
The conversion of community land into forest land was initiated, allegedly, by Mr. Kalikho Pul, a member of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He allegedly collected signatures from the Meyor community under the pretext of development works in the area. Conversion of this forest area was completed in 1995-1996 with a proposal of afforestation. Through an application, under the Right to Information Act, 2005 filed by Mr Dimso Manyu of the Meyor community, the people came to know of this development only on 14 March 2012.
The villages of the Meyor community are within a 36 square kilometer perimeter and their livelihood is dependent on natural resources. Over a period of time they faced limited access to the land resources due to the conversion of community land into ‘forest land’. Once they came to know of the conversion, the community vehemently opposed it. Due to their opposition, it is alleged that the police and unknown trouble-makers carried out frequent detentions, arrests, tortures and intimidations of community leaders and representatives of the Meyor tribe.
On 26 April 2013, armed reprobates arrived in a white Scorpio Jeep, threatened and attempted to torture Mr. Chung Meyor near Naraliang village on Tezu-Hayuliang Road. On the same day, Mr. Chung lodged a complaint about the incident at the Khupa police station. Police have not taken any action so far.
On 1 June 2013, Mr. Unchen Meyor filed a complaint at the Khupa Police Station. He cited mismanagement, corruption and illegal activities committed at a Fair Price Shop set up under the government’s Public Distribution System. Incidentally, on 12 November 2013 some local youths discovered that Mr. Agam Rai was selling PDS items illegally to people who were not subscribed under the PDS system. In connection to this discovery, a counter- police complaint was lodged by Mr.Kayawlum Tawsik, Chairperson, Zilla Parishad (local government), Anjaw Disttrict, against Mr. Unchen Meyor, Mr. Chethel Meyor and Mr. Tharpa Meyor.
On the night of 13 November 2013, Mr. Unchen and his family were brutally assaulted by a group of criminals at his residence in Barakhundun village. Mr. Unchen is still in critical condition due to injuries to his head, nose and chest. His daughter made a complaint about the attack on 15 November to the Khupa police station. However, till now, the police have not taken any action.
A second time, on 28 November 2013, Mr. Fendey Meyor, member of Gram Panchayat (local government) was arrested by the police from his village, Musai. They demanded the immediate surrender of Mr. Unchen, Mr. Chethen, Mr.Tenjing at the Khupa police. Mr. Fendey was released on 3 December on bail, with fabricated charges of vandalising still pending. Mr. Unchen is in hospital (at Aditya Diagnostic, Diburgar) struggling for his life. Mr. Chethen and Mr. Tenjing are in hiding, fearing for their lives and personal security. Similarly other community activists like Mr. Chung Meyor, Mr. Chaping Meyor and Mr. Tharpa Meyor are equally exposed to threats to their lives.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Arunachal Pradesh, bordering on China, is one of the most thinly populated states in India. It has 101 recognized indigenous tribal groups and about 50 languages. There are several rivers with the potential for generating hydro-electric power. The government has planned to construct some 168 mega-dams in the state, a move opposed by the indigenous people living there. There is a heavily militarized presence due to the international border. Draconian measures under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is applicable in two districts of Arunachal Pradesh, namely Tirap and Changlang, and a 20 kilometer area bordering Assam.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
1. Urge the Government Authorities of India and the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh to guarantee the physical and psychological security of the members of the Meyor Community and its leaders.
2. Urge the authorities to protect the indigenous people’s right to land and resources.
3. Urge the authorities to protect the environment and not to grant deforestation rights.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous People and the UN Special Rapporteur on Protection of Human Rights Defenders for immediate intervention in this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
INDIA: Violent Attack, Arbitrary Detention, Death Threats to activists of Meyor Community, Arunachal Pradesh
Name of victims:
1. Mr. Chung Meyor, 33, Dhanbari village
2. Mr.Chaping Meyor, 55, Gaon Bura (village chief), Khroati village
3. Mr. Unchen Meyor, 45, Barakhundun village
4. Mr. Chethel Meyor, 25, Dhanbari village
5. Mr. Tharpa Meyor, 26, Musai village
6. Mr. Tenzing Dorjee Meyor, 30, Sotakhundun village
7. Mr. Fendey Meyor, 30, Musai village of Arunachal Pradesh
Names of alleged perpetrators: State police and unidentified miscreants
Date of incident: Ongoing
Place of incident: Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the death threats, arbitrary detention, and harassment of members of the Meyor community. They are a group of indigenous people in Arunachal Pradesh threatened for their activities on conservation of community land and natural resources. The Meyor community numbers about 450 members and is classified as one of the Scheduled Tribes under the Indian Constitution. The community is mostly confined to the Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, India. It has been recently targeted for opposing certain activities of government authorities that includes conversion of community land to reserved forest land and corruption in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Several representatives of the community took on a leadership role. They protested the conversion of community forest land of Walong and Kibitho area into reserved forest land because it was carried out without the free, prior and informed consent of the Meyor community.
The conversion of community land into forest land was initiated, allegedly, by Mr. Kalikho Pul, a member of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly. He allegedly collected signatures from the Meyor community under the pretext of development works in the area. The conversion of this forest area was completed in 1995-1996 with a proposal of a forestation. On 14 March 2012 Mr. Dimso Manvu filed an application under the Right to Information Act, 2005 and through this action the community came to know of this development only on 14 March 2012.
The villages of Meyor community are within a 36 square kilometer perimeter while their livelihood is dependent on natural resources. Over a period of time they began to face limited access to the land resources due to the conversion of community land into forest land. Once they came to know of the conversion, the community members vehemently opposed it. As a result, it is alleged that the police and unknown miscreants carried out frequent detentions, arrests, tortures and intimidation of community leaders and representatives of the Meyor tribe.
On 26 April 2013, some armed criminals arrived in a white Scorpio Jeep, threatened and attempted to torture Mr. Chung Meyor near Naraliang village on Tezu-Hayuliang Road. Mr. Chung lodged a complaint about the incident at the Khupa police station on the same day. Police have not taken any action so far.
Mr. Unchen Meyor filed a complaint at the Khupa Police Station on 1 June 2013 against the mismanagement, corruption and illegal activities committed at a Fair Price Shop set up under the government’s Public Distribution System. Incidentally on 12 November 2013 some local youths discovered that Mr. Agam Rai was selling PDS items illegally to people who were not subscribed under the PDS system. In connection with this incident, a counter-police complaint was lodged by Mr.Kayawlum Tawsik, Chairperson, Zilla Parishad (local government), Anjaw Disttrict, against Mr. Unchen Meyor, Mr. Chethel Meyor and Mr. Tharpa Meyor.
On the night of 13 November 2013, Mr. Unchen and his family were brutally assaulted by a group of thugs at his residence in Barakhundun village. Mr. Unchen is still in critical condition due to injuries to his head, nose and chest. His daughter made a complaint on 15 November to the Khupa police station about the attack, but up to now, the police have not taken any action.
Again on 28 November 2013, Mr. Fendey Meyor, member of Gram Panchayat (local government) was arrested a second time by police from his village, Musai. They demanded the immediate surrender of Mr. Unchen, Mr. Chethen, Mr.Tenjing at the Khupa police. Mr. Fendey was released on 3 December on bail with fabricated charges of vandalising still pending. Mr. Unchen is in hospital (at Aditya Diagnostic, Diburgar) struggling for his life. Mr. Chethen and Mr. Tenjing are in hiding fearing for their lives and personal security. Similarly other community activists like Mr. Chung Meyor, Mr. Chaping Meyor and Mr. Tharpa Meyor are equally exposed to death threats.
Arunachal Pradesh bordering on China is one of the most thinly populated states in India. It has 101 recognized indigenous tribal groups with about 50 languages. There are several rivers with the potential for generating hydro-electric power. The government has planned to construct some 168 mega-dams in the state, a move opposed by the indigenous people living there. There is also a heavily militarized presence due to the international border. Draconian measures due to the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) is applicable in two districts of Arunachal Pradesh, namely Tirap and Changlang, a 20 kilometer area bordering Assam.
I, thereby, urge you to
1. Guarantee and ensure physical and psychological security to the members of the Meyor Community and its leaders.
2. Protect the indigenous people’s right to land and resources.
3. Protect the environment and do not grant deforestation rights.
Yours sincerely,
————————————————–
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Pranab Mukherjee
President of India
Rarstrapati Bhawan, New Delhi-110 004
INDIA
Telephone: + 91-11-23015321
Fax : +91-11-23017290, +91-11-23017824
2. Mr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
South Block, Raisina Hill,
New Delhi – 110011
INDIA
Telephone: +91-11-23012312
Fax: +91-11-23019545, + 91-11-23016857.
3. Mr. Sushil Kumar Sambhajirao Shinde
Minister of Home Affairs
Krishna Menon Marg
New Delhi – 110 003, INDIA
Phone +91 11 2371-7474, +91 11 2371-9205
Fax: +91 11 2371-0065
Email: skshinde@sansad.nic.in
4. Lt. General (Rtd) Nirbhay Sharma
Governor of Arunachal Pradesh
Rashtrapati Bhawan, Itanagar, 791111
Arunachal Pradesh, INDIA
Telephone: +91 360 2212418
Fax: +91 360 2212508
5. Nabam Tuki
Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh
The CM Secretariat,
CM Bungalow, Niti Vihar,
Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh, INDIA
Pin: 791111
Telephone: +91-360-2212456
FAX: +91-360-2212439
6. Director General of Police
Arunachal Police Headquarters
City-Itanagar, Pincode-791113, Arunachal Pradesh, INDIA
Email: arpolice@rediffmail.com
Tel: +91 360 2218190, +91 360 2211433
7. Chairperson,
National Human Rights Commission
Faridkot House, Copernicus Marg
New Delhi 110001
INDIA
Fax: + 91 11 2338 4863
E-mail: chairnhrc@nic.in
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
