South Asia Citizens Web

PEOPLE’S UNION FOR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS (PUDR)
Press Statement
Condemning Undemocratic Extension of AFSPA
6th Jan 2015
PUDR strongly condemns the extension of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in Assam, on January 2, 2015 under Section 3 of the Act by the Government of India. Coming in the wake of the recent massacre of adivasis by the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (Songbijit) on December 23, 2014 in Kokrajhar, Sonitpur and Chirang districts of Assam, this (…)

Let me share some memories from years of conversations with Maamujan. They describe what seems like an improbable era he belonged to ... As an Indian communist, he had a preference for the middle of the road P.C. Joshi against an implacably radical B.T. Ranadive.

In the upcoming snap Presidential election in Sri Lanka slated for 8th January 2015, President Mahinda Rajpaksa’s defeat looks imminent sans rigging by the President. A formidable rainbow coalition of the opposition under the leadership of joint opposition candidate Maithripala Sirisena is firmly in place.

The Asian Human Rights Commission expresses concern regarding the safety of the common candidate of the opposition Maithripala Sirisena, who has faced several attacks during the past several days. He has himself alerted the public to the threat to his life in a statement he made yesterday (4th January 2015). We urge the Government and the Commissioner of Elections to provide all the protection that he deserves as a presidential candidate if there is to be a free and fair election.

Some commentators have deplored the conferment of India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, on Madan Mohan Malaviya, but many have welcomed its award to the Sangh Parivar’s first Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.