On the early morning of July 24, 2024, in Toyametta village, District Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh, a shocking incident unfolded. Personnel from the District Reserve Guards (DRG), armed with AK-47 rifles and batons, forcefully disrupted a peaceful sit-in protest organized by the local Adivasi community. The protest had been ongoing for two years, advocating for tribal rights and environmental protection.

The DRG personnel, in an illegal move, targeted Human Rights Defender (HRD) Bijendra Korram, who was leading the peaceful demonstration. Without provocation, they brutally beat him with rifle butts, causing significant injuries to his back. Claiming to escort him to guide them back to their base, the DRG then unlawfully detained Korram, transporting him to Chhote Dongar police station and later to the DRG office in Narayanpur District Headquarters.

The illegalities continued, as Korram was held for two hours at the Chhote Dongar police station before being moved, all without any formal arrest memo, warrant, or legal representation. His family, alarmed by his sudden disappearance, rushed to the DRG office, where Korram detailed the torture he endured. Despite their pleas, they were told by the SDOP Narayanpur that Korram's fate would only be decided once the Superintendent of Police returned.

The DRG pressured Korram to falsely surrender as a Maoist, but he bravely resisted their coercion. Two days later, on July 26, 2024, at 2:00 PM—56 hours after his illegal detention—he was finally produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate at the Kondagaon Court. His arrest violated numerous legal protections, including the requirement to present an arrested individual before a judicial magistrate within 24 hours, and he was deprived of his right to a lawyer.

The charges leveled against Bijendra Korram are deeply concerning. He faces accusations under several sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Section 147 (rioting), Section 148 (armed with a deadly weapon), and Section 307 (attempt to murder), among others. He is also charged under draconian laws such as the Arms Act, Special Security Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). These charges, which include accusations of involvement in terrorism and sedition, appear to be politically motivated, aimed at silencing his activism.

It is essential to note that the DRG personnel, who acted without any legal authority to arrest, are meant only to assist the police, not perform arrests. This unlawful act raises serious questions about abuse of power and the targeting of Adivasi activists.

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

• To direct the Director General of Investigation of the NHRC to initiate a transparent, independent inquiry in the illegal arrest and false cases on HRD Bijendra Korram and submit the report to NHRC within two weeks.
• To direct the Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh to Direct the Director General of Police of Chhattisgarh to produce within 48 hours copies of all relevant documents pertaining to the abduction and torture for an independent examination by the Hon’ble Commission.