About the Human Rights Defenders: Mr. ArpudhaKani (53), is a farmer and land rights activist from Madatha Kulam, P Mariyur Panchayat, Kadaladi Taluk, Ramanathapuram. He is an active member of Maan Meetpu Kulu organisation who work for the protection of agricultural lands in the locality of Kadaladi Taluk.

Background of the Incident: Mr. ArpudhaKani and other members of Maan Meetpu Kulu have protested on multiple occasions against the realising of industrial waste and encroachment on land by Chemfab Ltd. affecting the lakes, fertility of agricultural lands and the ground water in the locality of Kadaladi Taluk. On November 01, 2021, and on March 09, 2022, complaint letters were given by members of Maan Meetpu Kulu to the District Collector for protection of the land and regarding the possible attacks by the Chemfab limited on the members of Maan Meetpu Kulu. Details of the Incident: On March 14, 2022, at around 7:30 pm Mr. Arpudhakani was returning home from his daily work in his two-wheeler when a group of assaulters attacked him near the main gate of Chemfab limited. His two-wheeler was pushed down and the HRD was beaten and stabbed with a knife. Once the assaulters left the place thinking Mr. Arpudhakani was dead the locals and his brother Davidraja took him to the Kadaladi Government hospital and admitted him for his treatment.

On March 15, 2022, a FIR was filed at the Sayalkudi Police station in which 13 accused are charged on sections 147(Punishment for rioting), 148(Rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 341(Punishment for wrongful restraint), 294(b) (sings, recites or utters any obscene song, ballad or words, in or near any public place), 324 (Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means).