-The Deccan Chronicle adivasis of 40 villages in and around the Kawal wildlife sanctuary, which was recently notified as a tiger reserve by the state government, have started passing unanimous resolutions against the reserve. Adivasi leaders argue that notifying a tiger reserve without the consent of local adivasis was unilateral and against the Panchayat Raj Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA). They are also demanding, in their resolutions, that state government cancel...

-The United Nations While commending India's generally high level of commitment to human rights, a United Nations expert today urged the Government to continue to fight impunity for extrajudicial executions, and communal and traditional killings. The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Christof Heyns, said he recognized the size, complexity, security concerns and diversity of India – however, he remains concerned that the challenges with respect to the protection...

The United Nations has asked India to repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, saying it had no role to play in a democracy. “The AFSPA in effect allows the state to override rights in the disturbed areas in a much [more] intrusive way than would be the case under a state of emergency, since the right to life is in effect suspended, and this is done without the safeguards applicable...

-The Deccan Herald   Cover eight states, hold meetings in 87 villages   Rights groups released a report here demanding the implementation of Panchayats (Extention to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) and rights of the tribals in India.  The recommendations were based on the 39 days of foot march conducted by the Adivasi Janjati Adhikar Manch (AJAM), supported by ActionAid. The primary demand put forth by the tribals was implementation of PESA in Forest Rights Act, 2006...

-PTI The issue of police lathicharge on tribals figured in the Chhattisgarh Assembly today with main Opposition Congress demanding a probe into the incident. Police yesterday cane-charged and lobbed teargas shells to disperse tribals who were on their way to `gherao' Chhattisgah Assembly here in support of their various demands, including 32 per cent reservation in jobs and educational institutes. Nearly 1,000 adivasis were arrested by the police. Agitated Congress members...