06.10.2005 - Source: BBC News

Bihar: Former federal minister injured after being shot during election meeting in Rohtas district; alleged attacker was caught and seriously beaten by local people ("Indian politician shot at rally") [#37397],  [ID 7054]

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25.04.2005 - Source: BBC News

Federal railways minister charged for alleged role in corruption case known as the fodder scam; minister believes charges against him are politically motivated ("India rail minister to face trial") [#31535],  [ID 7055]

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02.03.2005 - Source: BBC News

Disputes on state-governments in Jharkhand and Bihar; both houses of parliament adjourned after protests by opposition BJP ("India opposition party up in arms") [#29589],  [ID 7056]

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03.02.2005 - Source: BBC News

Bihar, Jharkhand: At least 20 people have been killed in poll-related violence as millions of voters turned out to cast their ballots in three Indian states. ("Blast ahead of Indian state polls") [#28734],  [ID 7057]

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18.01.2005 - Source:

Background information on Ranvir Sena [ID 7058]

"[...]The primary objective of the Ranvir Sena is to wipe out left-wing extremist groups from Bihar. [...]"

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11.08.2004 - Source: Asian Centre for Human Rights

Article on Draft National Policy on Tribals and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes ("Spanners in the Draft National Policy on Tribals (ACHRF/33/04)") [#24835],  [ID 7059]

"[...]The majority of the States have failed to set up Special Courts under the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. As of 2 February 2003, exclusive Special Courts have been set up only in Andhra Pradesh (12), Bihar (11), Chhatisgarh (07), Gujarat (10), Karnataka (06), Madhya Pradesh (29), Rajasthan (17), Tamil Nadu (04), Uttar Pradesh (40) and Uttranchal (01). [...]"

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Open document

29.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Bihar: autonomous election commission has ordered an inquiry into complaints of widespread vote-rigging and other irregularities in the Chhapra parliamentary constituency ("Inquiry into India vote-rigging") [#21867],  [ID 7060]

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19.04.2004 - Source: BBC News

Andhra Pradesh, Bihar: 2 leading Indian politicians have escaped apparent attempts on their lives on the eve of general elections ("Indian politicians escape attacks") [#21549],  [ID 7061]

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04.2004 - Source: UK Home Office

Political Activists ("Country Report - April 2004") [#22427],  [ID 7062]

"6.144 According to a United Nations background paper dated October 1998, in Bihar, armed Naxalite groups had reportedly taken control of many villages across the State. Moreover, upper caste private armies and lower caste armed groups are engaged in a bitter struggle in which both groups have committed massacres with impunity on a monthly basis. [6e](p10) According to a BBC report dated 18 June 2000, Ranvir Sena, a private army sponsored by upper-caste landlords, were blamed for the killing of 34 lower-caste Hindus on 16 June 2000. The massacre, in Miapur, Bihar, appeared to be a revenge attack for the killing of 12 upper-caste Hindus a few days earlier. [32n] As reported in a CNN news report of 23 February 2000, Bihar is widely regarded as India's most lawless State. During State parliamentary elections there in February 2000, violent clashes and paramilitary raids caused 45 deaths. [33c]"

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26.03.2004 - Source: BBC News

Bihar: Extra security for the northern state of Bihar during April parliamentary elections promised ("Bihar to get extra poll security") [#20849],  [ID 7063]

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25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

USDOS: Tribal movements among indigenous peoples ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19765],  [ID 7064]

"[...] Numerous tribal movements demanded the protection of land and property rights. The Jharkhand Movement in Bihar and Orissa and the Bodo Movement in Assam reflected deep economic and social grievances among indigenous peoples. As a result of complaints, largely tribal-populated states were created in 2000 from the Jharkand area of Bihar and the Chhattisgrah region of Madhya Pradesh. There was also some local autonomy for tribal people in the northeast. [...]"

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25.02.2004 - Source: US Department of State

USDOS: Clashes between police and the PWG ("Country Reports on Human Rights Practices - 2003") [#19765],  [ID 7065]

"[...]In the north-central states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and West Bengal, clashes between police officers and the PWG continued. The police sometimes responded with violence. For example, on September 8, 11 police personnel and a civilian were killed in a landmine explosion allegedly set by the PWG in Bihar. Twenty years of guerrilla-style conflict between state authorities and Naxalites led to serious human rights abuses committed by both sides. [...]"

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