Indigenous protesters storm COP30 venue in Brazil, demand protection of forests and land rights
Belem (Brazil): Demanding urgent climate action and protection of ancestral lands from deforestation and industrial encroachment, dozens of indigenous demonstrators stormed the COP30 climate summit venue in Belem, Brazil, on Tuesday.
Carrying flags and placards reading “Our land is not for sale,” the protesters, attempted to enter the United Nations compound where thousands of delegates were attending the global climate talks. Security personnel blocked their entry and used tables to reinforce the barriers.
“We can’t eat money,” said Nato, an Indigenous leader from the Tupinamba community. “We want our lands free from agribusiness, oil exploration, illegal miners and illegal loggers.”
According to witnesses, the conflict injured two security personnel. One guard was seen being removed in a wheelchair, holding his stomach. Another suffered a cut above his eye after being struck by a drumstick apparently thrown from the crowd. Authorities later seized several wooden sticks from demonstrators.
The confrontation ended after demonstrators dispersed peacefully, as reported by Reuters. Security briefly restricted delegates from leaving the venue before reopening the gates once the area was cleared.
“Earlier this evening, a group of protesters breached security barriers at the main entrance to the COP, causing minor injuries to two security staff and minor damage to the venue,” a UN spokesperson said. “The situation was brought under control, and COP negotiations continue as scheduled.”
While Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has acknowledged the importance of Indigenous communities in the 2025 climate negotiations, dozens of Indigenous leaders arrived by boat to participate in discussions about sustainable forest management and environmental protection.
Chief Raoni Metuktire, a veteran indigenous leader, told Reuters that native tribes are becoming increasingly frustrated with ongoing industrial operations in the Amazon. He urged the Brazilian government to grant Indigenous peoples greater authority in protecting the rainforest.
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RSS man's defamation case against Rahul: Key witness unavailable, hearing adjourned to Dec 20
Thane (PTI): A court in Bhiwandi in Thane district on Saturday adjourned the hearing in the criminal defamation case filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker to December 20 due to non-availability of a crucial prosecution witness.
Advocate Narayan Iyer, counsel for Rahul Gandhi, confirmed the adjournment, stating that the witness, Ashok Saykar, currently Deputy Superintendent of Police in Barshi in Solapur, could not remain present due to personal reasons.
Saykar's evidence is now likely to be recorded on December 29.
His testimony is considered key because he, as police sub inspector in 2014, conducted the preliminary inquiry into the private defamation matter under Section 202 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It was on the basis of Saykar's submitted report that the court subsequently issued process (summons) against Rahul Gandhi under Section 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The criminal defamation case was filed by local RSS worker Rajesh Kunte following a speech given by Rahul Gandhi at an election rally near Bhiwandi on March 6, 2014.
The case stems from the Congress leader's alleged statement that "the RSS people killed (Mahatma) Gandhi."
The matter is being heard by Bhiwandi Joint Civil Judge, Junior Division, P M Kolse.
The hearing had previously been adjourned on November 15 after the complainant's counsel, Advocate Prabodh Jaywant, moved an application seeking permission to examine Saykar, who had submitted the probe report to the court.
The matter was originally scheduled for November 29 but was deferred to December 6 after Rahul Gandhi's legal team sought an adjournment citing their non-availability. The proceedings will now resume on December 20.
