Front Line is deeply saddened to report the recent killing of human rights defender, Mr Hari Lal, who was shot dead in the Manjhanpur region of Kaushambi near Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh.

Further Information

Hari Lal, a Dalit, was a leader of the Voice of People (VOP), a local community-based organisation working on labour rights and against corruption in the Manjhanpur, Karari and Sarsawan districts of Kaushambi. On previous occasions he had led peaceful marches by labourers regarding corruption by local contractors and state officials in the implementation of social welfare schemes. In addition, Hari Lal organised a trade union of bidi (tobacco industry) workers; on 1 July 2010 approximately 4,000 workers and their supporters held a rally in Manjhanpur.

On 15 August 2010 at approximately noon, Hari Lal was shot dead in his village, Lahna, in Manjhanpur region. It is believed that his killing was related to his recent accusation of a village chief, Mr Teerath Kanaujia, of misappropriating government funds for development works taking place in the village. Following the killing, Hari Lal's wife, Shanti Devi, filed a complaint which has resulted in a case has been opened against the village chief, his son and two of his supporters under sections 302 (murder) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, as well as Section 3 (2) (acts with intent to cause injury) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act 1989. Mr Kanaujia, his son Thate and a supporter, Bassan, have since been arrested.

Front Line believes that the killing of Hari Lal is directly related to his work in the defence of human rights, particularly in denouncing corruption. Front Line remains concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of human rights defenders in India, especially those who work on economic, social and cultural rights. In particular, Front Line fears for the security of the other members and staff of VOP.