Tawang protesters' killing was excessive use of force: Amnesty International India

GUWAHATI: The Amnesty International India (AII) said that the killing of two protestors in police firing in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang district on Monday was an excessive use of force even though there was no “apparent threat to life.”
In a statement on Thursday, AII has demanded “prompt, impartial and independent” criminal investigation by Arunachal Pradesh authorities into the killing of two protesters in police firing in Tawang town.
“Firing live ammunition into a crowd when there is no apparent threat to life amounts to excessive use of force. This loss of life cannot be justified,” AII senior campaigner Abhirr VP said.
AII said that any police personnel found to have used excessive force must be held accountable.
On Monday, a group of monks and people from the Save Mon Region Federation (SMRF), a pressure group spearheading movement against large dams in Tawang district, bordering China’s Tibet region, gathered outside the Tawang police station demanding release of SMRF general secretary and Buddhist monk Lobsang Gyatso. Gyatso was arrested on April 28 on charge of criticizing the Abbot of 400-year old Tawang monastery.
AII quoted Lama Jha, a Buddhist monk who was present at the protest, saying that protestors got angry after police called three people and allegedly manhandled them inside the police station.
“The crowd got angry. We started pushing the gate. Some threw stones. And suddenly the police opened fire at us without any warning. Some of us ran for our lives,” AII quoted Lama Jha.
On the other hand cremation of the two slain activists was held after prayer ceremony at Tawang monastery on Thursday. Hundreds of Buddhist monks and locals attended the funeral ceremony.