Freedom Under Siege: Amnesty Report on Blackout in Bastar

The Amnesty report carries testimonies of repression by lawyers, activists and reporters working in Bastar.

Amnesty International released a 24-page report on the crackdown in the state on the media and civil society in Bastar in Chattisgarh. (Photo: The Quint)

On Monday, global human rights watchdog Amnesty International released a 24-page report on the crackdown in the state on the media and civil society in Bastar, Chattisgarh. The report carries the testimonies of repression by lawyers, activists and reporters working in Bastar. Amesty urges the state government to:

• Drop politically-motivated charges
  
• Coduct time-bound and impartial investigation into allegations of human rights abuse
  
• Take measures to end harassment of journalists and allow human rights defenders to work without fear and intimidation
  
• Repeal Chattisgarh Special Public Security Act & Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
  

The Quint caught up with the talking heads to understand what the blackout in Bastar is all about.

Also Read: Jailed, Surveilled, Expelled: The Media Blackout in Bastar