Date:18/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/18/stories/2007121850040100.htm

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31 ethnic Indians acquitted

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: A Malaysian Sessions Court on Monday acquitted 31 ethnic Indians of the charge of attempting to murder a police officer during an agitation by the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) last month. The acquittal, specific only to this charge, followed its withdrawal by Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail.

Five of them were released unconditionally, while the others, who pleaded guilty to one or more aspects of the collateral charges related to the act of assembling “illegally,” were granted bail.

All were arrested for alleged rioting before a temple on November 25. They were said to have gathered near the temple before going to Kuala Lumpur for a rally organised by the Hindraf to protest against alleged “marginalisation” of Malaysian Indians. The rally was banned under a court order against street demonstration.

Hindraf’s new coordinator Thanenthiran told The Hindu over telephone from Kuala Lumpur that those released unconditionally were university students who had gone to the temple to pray at the time of the alleged riot. Asked if all 31 were Hindraf members, he said they were looked upon only as “supporters.”

Judge Nursinah Adzmi set December 27 for hearing of facts to sentence those who pleaded guilty to one or more counts concerning the “illegal” assembly.