HRF condemns police action against Green Visakha’s rally

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.

The organisation also referred to the detention of Left party functionaries who had attempted to visit Tarluvada to meet residents affected by the proposed data centre project. It further alleged that there were attempts to suppress criticism of the projects on online platforms.

The HRF said that the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly were fundamental rights and urged the government to allow citizens to campaign, meet affected communities and express dissent without intimidation or arbitrary police obstruction.