HRF condemns police action against Green Visakha’s rally
The Human Rights Forum has criticized the Visakhapatnam police for obstructing a peaceful protest against proposed data center projects. The group argues that the police action violated fundamental rights to freedom of speech and assembly.
Why it matters
The conflict underscores the tension between industrial development projects and the rights of local communities to protest environmental and social impacts.
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) has condemned the Visakhapatnam police action against members of Green Visakha and other citizens who had gathered to campaign against the proposed data centres coming up in and around the city.
In a statement issued on Monday, HRF Andhra Pradesh State general secretary Y. Rajesh and AP and Telangana coordination committee member V.S. Krishna said that the police had prevented the environmental group from conducting a peaceful awareness procession on Beach Road on Sunday.
According to the organisation, after permission for the proposed procession was denied by the police, around 20 to 25 members of Green Visakha and other citizens gathered at the Bhagat Singh statue to distribute pamphlets and draw attention to the environmental and social implications of the proposed data centre projects. The HRF alleged that the police, asked them to disperse.
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