Kozhikode, Kerala – June 24, 2024: In a troubling incident today, student activists from the Fraternity Movement faced severe police brutality while staging a protest at Rajaji Junction. The demonstration, organized by state vice president Labeed Kayakkodi, state secretary Latheef PH, and district president Muneeb Elamankal, sought to address the critical shortage of Class 11 seats in the Malabar districts of Kerala. Approximately 100 student activists from Kozhikode district participated in the march, which had been duly notified to the police prior to its commencement.

However, just five minutes into the protest, the Kozhikode police intervened aggressively, attempting to disperse the crowd and detaining several of the protesters. Among those detained were prominent organizers Kayakkodi, PH, Elamankal, Afnan Velom, Mubashir Cheruvannur, Manna, Mujahid Mepayyur, and 15 other students.

During the detention, reports indicate that Afnan Velom was assaulted by the police, resulting in severe chest pain. He was subsequently rushed to a hospital for medical treatment. Following this incident, the police released Velom and two minors who were among those detained, but proceeded to register an FIR against Kayakkodi, PH, Elamankal, Cheruvannur, Manna, Mepayyur, and 13 other student activists. All detained activists were later released on station bail.

Human Rights Defenders Alert (HRDA) has expressed deep concern over the police's actions, condemning the use of force against peaceful protesters, such actions violate fundamental rights as guaranteed by Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which ensures the right to life and liberty, as well as international human rights standards including Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966).

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 arbitrary detention and registration of FIRs on HRDs and submit the report to NHRC within Two Weeks. Since this is a blatant case in misuse of freedom of assembly, we ask you invoke you powers under section 12 (b) to intervene in the relevant court to quash the FIRs registered against the HRDs.