Naxals urged to release kidnapped Adivasis
Killing of two hostages condemned

New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) condemned the killing of two Adivasi hostages by the Naxalites on 27 April 2006 and urged the Communist Party of India (Maoists) to release the remaining hostages. On 25 April 2006, the Naxalites had kidnapped about 52 Adivasis from Dornapa relief camp in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh when they went to fetch personal belongings from a neighbouring village.

“The killing of two Adivasi hostages is a premeditated murder and the Naxalites have no excuse to make as they often do after killing innocent civilians by using improvised explosive devices.” – stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of Asian Centre for Human Rights.

“Wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment, wilfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health and hostage taking constitute serious violations of the principles of the Additional Protocol to the Geneva Conventions relating to non-international armed groups.” – further stated Mr Chakma.

ACHR stated that international law provides that the leadership of any “organized armed group” such as CPI (Maoists) which has responsible command and exercise such control over a part of its territory can be held responsible for violations of international humanitarian laws by its cadres.

The kidnapping of about 52 Adivasi hostages also exposes the failure of the Chhattisgarh government to ensure security and as to how it has been increasing the risks of the civilians through the Salwa Judum campaign.

[Ends]