Archive ref no: NCA-18723
Document - India: Further information on Fear for safety
PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 20/001/2002
30 January 2002
Further information on UA 321/01 (ASA 20/054/2001, 14 December 2001) - Fear for safety
INDIAGhanshyam Arial (m), aged 40
Gunkar (m), aged 24
Chabilal Pandey (m), aged 25
Motilal Pokhrel (m), aged 52
A 13-year-old boy
Amnesty International has received reports that the five Nepalis listed above were released on or around 20 December.
The five report that they had been held incommunicado for the whole time they were in custody. They say they were tortured during interrogation, first by Delhi police, and then by Nepali police officers in Lucknow. The police apparently warned them not to tell anyone what had happened.
This is the first time that Amnesty International has received reports of the Nepali police operating in this area.
The five Nepalis were reportedly taken from their home in New Delhi by the police on suspicion that supporters of Maoist armed groups operating in both India and Nepal had held meetings there.
The four men lived together in a group of around six Nepali families. The 13-year-old was reportedly visiting his elder brother and was taken because the police suspected him of being a child soldier.
Many thanks to all those who sent appeals. No further action is requested from the Urgent Action network.