India plans to withdraw 10,000 paramilitary troops from Kashmir in 2011 and renew efforts to hold talks in the rebellion-hit Himalayan region, a top government official said Sunday. A separatist insurgency has raged in Kashmir for 20 years and at least 114 people died in street protests last summer in pitched battles with security forces. "I think this year we can easily take out 10 battalions (10,000 personnel), if not more," Indian...

At least 10 RTI applicants have been killed over the past two years, with many others facing threats in their bid to expose corruption On a Republic Day when India celebrated 61 years of justice, equality and liberty, Amar Nath Pandey says he encountered the darkest moment of his life. In late evening on 26 January, a lone assailant leaped from the folds of darkness in the street outside his house in...

The Chhattisgarh High Court on Thursday dismissed an application of rights activist and paediatrician Dr. Binayak Sen seeking bail and suspension of life term awarded to him. But the court will continue to hear his appeal against the life sentence handed down by a Raipur Additional District and Sessions Court. The court also dismissed a similar application of co-accused Kolkata businessman Pijush Guha. On December 24 last, the Raipur court convicted Dr....

Sentenced to life in prison on sedition charges, rights activist Binayak Sen was refused bail by the Chattisgargh High Court on Thursday. Sen's family and supporters allege, there was prejudice in the way the case was being handled. They will now appeal in the Supreme Court. Charged with sedition, Dr Binayak Sen will continue to be in jail for much longer. The Chhattishgarh High Court in Bilaspur took just two minutes to refuse...

Tensions run high within the Christian community in Thachur village, and the government has adopted a hands-off approach for now. THE wrinkles on S. Royappan's face are a result of advancing age, but the ridges and furrows in them tell a story of humiliation of this Dalit Christian, as also others like him. Royappan, 82, was a bonded labourer, or padiyaal, in Thachur village in Tamil Nadu's Kancheepuram district, but...