The assault occurred at an event in Tamil Nadu to discuss environmental and social harms caused by illegal stone quarrying
NEW DELHI – The Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has expressed its strongest condemnation of the violent assault on Dr V Suresh, National General Secretary of People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) and senior advocate of the Madras High Court, which took place on Sunday at a public hearing organised at Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu.
APCR is an advocacy group composed of advocates, journalists, researchers, paralegal volunteers dedicated for the advancement of civil and human rights in India.
The assault on Dr Suresh occurred while the hearing was being conducted by the civic group Arappor Iyakkam to document and respond to the environmental and social harms caused by illegal stone quarrying in the district.
The event was violently disrupted by a group of approximately 25 persons, reportedly linked to quarry-owner interests. One of these assailants threw a chair that struck Dr Suresh on the back of his head, causing bleeding and requiring hospital treatment.
A statement on Monday said APCR stands in full solidarity with Dr Suresh, PUCL (both its national body and the Tamil Nadu–Puducherry wing), Arappor Iyakkam, and the villagers of Tirunelveli district who bravely sought to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and association under Article 19(1) of the Indian Constitution. “The attack amounts to an attempt to intimidate civil society actors and silence citizens who raise their voice against the unlawful extraction of natural resources and environmental degradation,” the statement said.
It called upon the Government of Tamil Nadu to take immediate and unequivocal action to ensure a transparent, impartial investigation into the attack, with full compliance with due process.
“APCR commends and stands in complete solidarity with the courageous work by PUCL and Arappor Iyakkam in defending constitutional values, enabling citizen participation, and protecting the environment and marginalised communities. Such work is essential for a democratic and just society. We pledge our support and will stand in full solidarity with those targeted for raising their voice,” the statement noted.
The attack, it said, is not merely on an individual — it is an attack on the collective right of communities to a healthy environment, to speak freely, to hold public hearings, and to hold extractive interests and public authorities to account. APCR affirmed that it will continue to advocate for accountability, rights, and protections for civil society actors.
