1991 Reports

Disputed Passages: A Report On Law, Reservations And Agitation

Following the recommendations of the second Backward Classes Commission, popularly known as Mandal Commission Report, the central govt. led by V P Singh announced the setting aside of 27 percent of jobs for backward classes .It led to disturbances in some parts of the country whose most bitter reflections were self-immolations .The executive, bureaucracy, political parties, courts, media, academia- all became hopelessly embroiled in the controversy .The issue of reservations thus became inseparable from the decay of democratic institutions of the country. The report traces the history and politics of the backward class reservations, and throws light on the responses of judiciary as well as the agitating groups.

DESU And Delhi Police: Death In Custody At RK Puram Police Station

A fact-finding report on the death of Ram Swaroop, a chowkidar with Delhi Electricity Supply Undertaking (DESU) in the police custody.

Murder In Custody: The Story Of Two Women

The report is about the death of fifty year old Rishna, in police custody at Gokulpuri ploice station. Rishna was declared as ‘absconding’ in a case relating to the murder of Shamsheeda, Rishna’s daughter in law.

Restless Frontier: Army, Assam And Its People

A fact-finding report, which questions the clichéd manner in which the socio-economic and political turbulences of Assam get interpreted as ‘Assam Problem’ by the ruling elite in Delhi, and sending army to disturbed areas is mooted as ultimate solution. The report is an  intensive inquiry into the roots of the crisis, its socio-cultural dimensions, the role played by the policies of state,   the political economy of the region, the history, origin and the politics of various groups questioning the repressive policies of the state and the armed forces, and above all the brave resistance put forward by the ordinary people.   

The Story Of Hadmatiya: Adivasi Struggles In South Rajasthan

Two incidents of violent assault on the village of Hadmatiya in south Udaipur dist. of Rajasthan, one by the police and the other by an armed mob, reflect the social tensions generated in a process of development that perpetuated conditions of deprivation and dependence for large sections of tribals in the region. The fact-finding report seeks to understand the cumulative impact of the state’s developmental imperatives and of its interventions to diffuse these tensions through protective legislation, tribal welfare programmes and electoral representation, which failed to protect the interest of tribals in significant manner.

Tall Chimneys And Dark Shadows: A Report On The Lives And Struggles Of Workers in Bhilai

Since September 1990,there had been disturbing reports of industrial tensions from the industrial town of Bhilai in Madhya Pradesh. Allegations of victimization and repression of the workers and trade unions on one hand, and counter allegations of  ‘terror tactics of the trade union mafia’ culminated in the mass arrest of workers and their leader Shankar Guha Niyogi in Feb,1991. The report is an attempt to investigate the working and living conditions of the workers of Durg-Bhilai,the implementation of various labour legislations, their alleged violations, and also the genesis and building –up of the subsequent industrial tension.

Lahori Gate PS: A Murder In Police Custody

This fact-finding report is about the death of 34 year old Jagan Nath, a peon cum chowkidar in the police custody.

Cipla And Its Field Workers

The fact-finding brings to light the victimization of its field workers by CIPLA, a leading pharmaceutical company. The report also records the struggle of the workers through unionization and adoption of legal measures to safeguard their rights.

Ayodhya Textile Mill: Yet Another Death In Police Custody

This fact-finding report is about the death of Ram Vilas, a 62- year old former employee of Ayodhya Textile Mill, in the police custody in July,1991.

Custodial Death In Timarpur PS

The fact-finding report is about the death of Om Prakash Kaushal, an employee with the health Dept. in Janakpuri, in police custody in July,1991.

A Wiped Out Life

This fact-finding report investigates the death of an auto-rickshaw driver, Shankar Lal, in the police custody at Connaught Place police station in July 1991.

A Theft And A Death Sentence

Yet another fact-finding into a death in police custody. This time the victim was Jairam,50 year old casual labourer of Punjabi Basti, Baljeet Nagar.

A “Viral” Death In Custody

A fact-finding report investigating the death of Rajesh, a class XI student due to sheer negligence of the police. The attempt of the doctors to show it as a death due to ‘viral’ infection in the post-mortem report, adds further insult to the injury of the aggrieved family of Rajesh.

Dalla: Privatisation, Police Firing And Workers Struggle

On 2 June,1991 workers of a cement factory at Dalla in Uttar Pradesh were fired upon when they were protesting against the privatization of their factory .In total, nine workers were killed due to police firing. While bringing to focus, the political and human dimensions of the new economic initiatives of the 90s,the report looks into the far-reaching impact of the liberalization of Indian economy and privatization of public sector units by the government.  

Renusagar:  A Report On Workers Struggle

On 13 Dec. 1990,a casual worker at the Birla owned Renusagar power plant in Uttar Pradesh died due to an accident in the factory premises .The report is based on a fact-finding into the work conditions, the death of the worker, the impact of Renupower on the nearby villages and the struggle of the worker’s union for justice.   

In Pursuit Of Life: On The Aftermath Of Custodial Deaths In Delhi

A detailed follow-up of the custodial deaths from 1980 to 1990. The report gives detailed accounts of judicial inquiries, postmortem reports, departmental action against the policemen, prosecution, compensation and public responses in all the cases of custodial deaths in the period mentioned above.

Shankar Guha Niyogi  And Chhatisgarh Peoples Movement    

A Deadend: Custodial Death At Preet Vihar

This is a fact-finding report about the death of 27 year old Bijeshwar Paswan, a rickshaw driver at the hands of the Preet Vihar police.

A Rape And A Retraction: The Saga Of Dakshinpuri

A chilling account of torture and  repeated rape of Rajjo, in police custody by the SI of Dakshinpuri police chowki, Delhi.

Death Via Custody: GTB Police Post

A fact-finding into the death of Raghunath, a migrant from Bihar who was working in unorganized sector, Raghunath died due to the injuries sustained in police torture.   

Custodial Death In Kamla Market P.S.

A fact-finding into the death of Mahesh Kumar, who was beaten to death in police custody in  the Kamla Nagar police station.