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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Mangaluru: Teacher booked for allegedly beating student in school
Vittla (Dakshina Kannada): A case has been registered at the Vittla Police Station against a school teacher on charges of seriously assaulting a student with a cane at an English-medium school in Idkidu village here near Vittla in Dakshina Kannada district.
According to the complaint, the student, who attends the school regularly, had gone to school as usual. Around 2 pm, the child’s parents received a call from the school office stating that their child had allegedly disturbed other students. The school informed them that when the teacher scolded the student over the issue, the child became frightened and urinated, and the parents were asked to come and take the child home.
The parents reportedly told the school staff that no one was at home at the time and requested that the child be sent home in an autorickshaw.
After returning home, the student told the parents that a teacher identified as Istikaar had beaten him severely on the hand with a cane. The child also said that he urinated out of fear while the assault was taking place.
When the parents contacted the teacher over the phone to question him about the incident, he allegedly responded in a dismissive manner.
Following this, the parents lodged complaints with the Vittla Police Station and the Child Development Project Office, seeking justice and strict action against the teacher for allegedly assaulting the child without any valid reason.
Police have registered a case against the teacher and have taken up further investigation.
