RCTV’s building inaugural and Dedication of land for housing for STF Victims at Mettur

Though People's Watch had been working for the protection of human rights through monitoring and legal intervention through courts, commissions and human rights institutions, past experience enabled the organization realize that emphasis needs to be given to rehabilitation of victims and their children which resulted in its initiative “Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (RCTV)”. Just as the abolition of torture is a prerequisite for democracy and human rights, specialized rehabilitation, treatment and services for torture victims are needed in order to heal and to empower people and communities.

In 2001, RCTV was incepted with limited resources on the 26^th of June i.e. the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The Centre, given its constant work with the victims, of the atrocities perpetrated by the Special Task Force, (constituted by the Governments of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to nab forest brigand Veerappan ) who reside in the Tamil Nadu - Karnataka border region, felt the need for a separate centre in the Mettur. This was incepted in the year 2006. The centre has been having regular Mobile Clinics on all Thursdays and Legal Aid Camps on all Saturdays for the benefit of the STF victims but these camps are popular with the general public too.

The centre has achieved yet another milestone with the opening ceremony of a building erected for the centre and dedication of land for housing of STF victims at Mettur held on the 7^th of January, 2008. The building was inaugurated by Mr. Pazha. Nedumaran, President, Tamizhar Desiya Iyakkam. The ensuing program, presided over by Mr. Henri Tiphagne, Executive Director, People's Watch, began with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp and tree planting by the guests of honour, Mr. Pazha. Nedumaran, Mr. Thol. Thirumavalavan, President, D.P.I., Dr. Senthil, M.P., Mr. G.K. Mani, M.L.A., Mr. Kolathur Mani, President, Periyar Dravida Kazhagam, Mr. Mahaboob Batcha, Executive Director, SOCO Trust and Prof. Xavier Arockiasamy, Executive Trustee - C.P.S.C. Mr. Henri Tiphagne spoke on the objective of the Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims.

The guests of honour also delivered addresses on the occasion.  Thirumavalavan in his addresses said that this work that the RCTV was one that the Govt. should have come forward to do. He pointed out that not all the victims of the STF atrocities got a chance to depose before Sadashiva panel and that their rehabilitation was therefore all the more important. He demanded the govt. to withdraw the false cases that were slapped on the residents of the region accusing them of being Veerappan’s accomplices.

Pazha Nedumaran called the event ‘historic’. He lamented the fact that although the Governments of the states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka had assured compensation to the victims they were yet to fulfill their assurances completely.  He said that this was a shame not only on the part of the Govt. but also on Tamils who have been waging a long and resolute war for justice to be done for the victims.

Mr. V.P. Gunasekaran and Mr. P. Mohan of Tamil Nadu Tribal People's Association, Mr. Mahboob Batcha, Mr. John Vincent, State Law Officer, Mr. C. J. Rajan, State Coordinator, Citizens for Human Rights Movement and Mr. Aruldoss, Program Coordinator, RCTV Mettur, who have played important roles in the struggle for the rights of the STF victims, were honoured for their contributions.

Staff members of People's Watch who have dedicated themselves to the cause of preventing torture and rehabilitating victims of torture were also honoured on this occasion.

The land adjoining the RCTV building, anointed Viduthalai Nagar (Freedom Township) and meant for housing for torture victims, widows in particular, was dedicated to them on the occasion.

The event came to an end with the Vote of thanks delivered by Mr. Asokan, Regional Law Officer of People's Watch who has also been taking care of the Legal Aid Camps of RCTV in Mettur for the past couple of years and has been associated with the campaign for the rehabilitation of the STF victims for a decade now.