HRF said the attack took place in full view of the police, but they failed to intervene appropriately, only apprehending one person from the violent mob.
Published Nov 04, 2025 | 10:18 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 04, 2025 | 10:18 AM
PUCL National General Secretary V Suresh (right) and Arappor Iyakkam leader Jayaram Venkatesan.
Synopsis: Several human rights organisations condemned the attack on leaders of the Arappor Iyakkam and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties during a public hearing on the impact of illegal limestone quarries on residents in Tirunelveli. Dr V Suresh, who chaired the session, was physically attacked by quarry owners and their supporters during the event.
Several human rights organisations condemned the attack on leaders of the Arappor Iyakkam and the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) during a public hearing on the impact of illegal limestone quarries on residents in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.
In Tirunelveli district, a large number of quarries are in operation. Residents of the Radhapuram region have long complained of severe environmental and livelihood damage caused by illegal quarrying. The Arappor Iyakkam had earlier conducted a field investigation and filed a complaint stating that more than one crore (10 million) metric tonnes of mineral resources had been illegally looted.
As a follow-up to this, a people’s public hearing was organised on Saturday, 1 November at Rose Mahal in Tirunelveli, where victims were invited to share their experiences.
PUCL National General Secretary and senior advocate of the Madras High Court, Dr V Suresh, who chaired the session, was physically attacked by quarry owners and their supporters during the event.
Residents from Reddyarpatti, Tatchanallur, Alangulam, Ponnakudi, Kayatharu, Thadanuthu, Thisayanvilai, Ambasamudram, Adaimithippankulam, Thalayuthu, Tiruvaikundam, Alwarthirunagari and several other affected villages participated and recorded their grievances.
According to organisers, more than 25 men — said to be supporters of quarry owners — spoke to the police stationed outside and then entered the hall, attempting to disrupt the hearing within minutes.
They reportedly introduced themselves as lawyers representing the quarry owners and demanded that the hearing be stopped. During the commotion, one of them picked up a plastic chair and struck Dr Suresh on the head, injuring him.
The panel for the hearing included agriculture management expert Nandini, local governance expert Nandakumar, water management expert Udayakumar and environmentalist Thanikavel.
Over 30 Tamil Nadu-based organisations, including the Manithaneya Makkal Katchi, have issued a joint statement condemning the attack on human rights defenders.
“This assault was carried out with the intention of silencing people and creating a permanent sense of fear. It has now come to light that those involved in the attack have political backing. Arappor Iyakkam has lodged a complaint, and the police must act on war-footing. The accused are politically and financially influential, and there is a high possibility that the affected public may face future violence. Police protection must be strengthened in the affected regions,” it said in a statement.
“Hundreds of illegal quarries operate across Tamil Nadu. Those who work to protect the environment — by filing legal cases, protesting, or exposing violations — are being systematically targeted and even murdered. The state government has shown reluctance to take strong action against these offenders, and this has created a situation where the police are unable to act freely. This is dangerous and unacceptable. Human rights defenders working for environmental justice must be protected,” it added.
The signatories also demanded action against Tirunelveli police officials who “stood by and watched despite knowing violence was imminent”, and against Inspector Mahesh Kumar, who allegedly pressured the hall owner not to allow the event.
They further urged action against those who orchestrated the attack and the quarry owners behind it.
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana also condemned the attack on Suresh.
It said a chair was flung at Suresh, which hit him above the neck, resulting in a bleeding injury. “The attack took place in the context of Suresh’s prior work as amicus curiae in a PIL that uncovered a massive illegal beach-sand mineral mining scam across Tirunelveli. This case led to a ban on mining operations. We believe that some of the mining companies implicated in that scam are behind Sunday’s attack,’ it said in a statement.
The PUCL stated that hired agents of the mining mafia — posing as members of the public — deliberately sought to disrupt the Constitutional
freedoms of speech and assembly by violent disruption through criminal intimidation and causing physical harm.
HRF said the attack took place in full view of the police, but they failed to intervene appropriately, only apprehending one person from the violent mob.
The forum further called on the Tamil Nadu government to institute a credible and independent investigation into the assault on Suresh, the circumstances of non-intervention of the police, registration of criminal cases and arrest all those responsible.
“The safety of Suresh and all human rights defenders working in the region must be ensured. We believe this is an assault not only on V Suresh but on the right of every person to carry out human rights work in safety and dignity,” the HRF said.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
