South Asia Citizens Web

Four four human rights activists, namely Bela Bhatia, Ravi Hemadri, Sukumar Muralidharan and Vrinda Grover had visited Kashmir at the end of October 2010 in order to study the origins of the problem which had led to recent mass uprising in the valley of Kashmir and to suggest ways and means for its resolution. Their report entitled ‘Four Months Kashmir Valley Will Never Forget’ and released the same in a Press Conference on 26th March, 2011 at New Delhi. All segments of the media were invited to cover the conference. But to the surprise of the team no reporter, except one, turned up and was totally ignored by the print as well as electronic media. Human rights groups also feel that their view points in relation to Kashmir problem are mostly ignored by the media which is more prone to give wider publicity to official line.

The Express Tribune
March 22, 2011
A person, who is believed to be have been contaminated with radiation, in a white bag is carried by soldiers at a radiation treatment centre in Nihonmatsu city in Fukushima prefecture on March 13, 2011. PHOTO: AFP
Ten days after the earthquake tsunami, Japan still teetered at the knife-edge of a major nuclear disaster. Four hydrogen explosions reduced three buildings in the 6-reactor Fukushima nuclear complex to smoking ruins. Radioactive plumes (…)

In the backdrop of the recent earthquake in Japan and an even bigger disaster being unfolded by the crumbling nuclear reactors in the country prompting serious threat to human life, water bodies and the eco systems of the region, the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, and Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum have written a letter to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman. The letter demands the shutting down of nuclear reactors across Pakistan and safe transport of all radioactive materials to locations very distant from people and water bodies. The PAEC Chief has also been asked to share any stated plans related to actions to minimise risks and damages from nuclear plants, in the event of a natural disaster.

The young lovers met at a secluded spot next to a
field of wheat at the edge of this sprawling suburb of New Delhi,
where the timeless India of mustard fields and bullock carts abuts the
frantically rising apartment towers of the budding middle class. They
went seeking solitude, but instead found themselves at the violent
cusp of old India and new.

The Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) and the Pakistan Fisher folk Forum (PFF), two major civil society organizations have expressed grave concern over the brutal use of force against peasants by the Punjab government.