Murali Mohan and four others had been suspended from their posts on 2  January 2012 for their involvement in the trade union. Since their  dismissal the agitation of the workers grew stronger and more workers  had taken to the streets in protest.

Regency Ceramics Limited is the biggest company in Yanam and employs  1,200 workers. Recently, the trade union led by Murali Mohan had been  demanding the regularisation of - at a minimum - staff who had been  employed by the company for the past 15 years. The management of the
company had reportedly harassed some of the workers following the  foundation of the trade union on 25 January 2010. The management applied  to court challenging the legality of the union and the registration of  the union was subsequently cancelled. However, the workers called on Murali Mohan to lead them in their protest for the promotion and  protection of their rights.

Front Line Defenders believes that the deadly attack on Murali Mohan is directly related to his work in defence of human rights and in  particular the workers' rights at the Regency Ceramics Limited factory  in Yanam. Front Line Defenders is concerned for the physical and  psychological integrity of other human rights defenders involved in the  aforementioned company's trade union.

*Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in India to: *

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the  deadly attack by police on human rights defender Murali Mohan, with a  view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice  in accordance with international standards;
2. Take measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity  of those involved in the promotion and protection of the workers' rights  at the Regency Ceramics Limited factory in Yanam;
3. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in India are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights  activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.