Background:
Bijapur, a mineral-rich district in Chhattisgarh, has seen resistance from tribal communities opposing land acquisition by corporates for mining and by the government for establishing security camps. For three years, Adivasis have been organizing peaceful movements to safeguard their lands.

Incident Details:

On 8^th November 2024, a large contingent of security forces comprising the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), District Reserve Guards (DRGs), and CoBRA units encircled Gundiraguda village and detained several Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) and members of the MBM group, including:

• Arjun Sodhi
• Nagesh Bhaskar
• Jagdish Madvi
• Bheema Kunjam
• Muya Hemla
• Joga Midiyam
• Kartam Ganesh

The detainees were placed in judicial custody, with authorities alleging the recovery of explosives such as steel tiffin bombs and electric wires.

Additionally, security forces reportedly targeted nine villages, including Marudbaka, Rekhapalli, Tumirguda, Singanpalli, and Kamlapur, detaining at least 44 villagers, whose whereabouts remain unknown.

In a violent escalation, security forces allegedly killed two young tribals, Hidma Podiam (a minor) and Joga Kunjam, during an operation described by locals as indiscriminate firing. Police claim the deceased were Maoists and assert that the operation was part of an anti-Naxal initiative.

• Villagers and activists allege fabrication of evidence by security forces and abuse of state power to suppress activism.
• Discrepancies were noted in the arrest timings and claims made in the remand report.

The actions of the security forces contravene constitutional rights enshrined in:

• Article 19(a): Right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Article 19(b): Right to peaceful assembly.

Appeal:

We urge the Hon’ble Commission to take cognisance of the above case and urgently:

• Direct the Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh to immediately release the MBM members and all villagers who have been arbitrarily detained and submit a report to the NHRC within two weeks.

Undertake a spot inquiry, like in the case of killing of peaceful protestors in Tuticorin, following a direction of the Delhi High Court, the Hon’ble Commission undertook spot inquiry, in this matter initiate an immediate, independent, thorough, transparent, effective and impartial investigation through its investigative wing into the incident of firing on November 08, 2024, and allegations of use of excessive force or misuse of law by police in preceding and subsequent days.