Rajendran Devaraj is a member of the Society For Christian Reflection, International Movement For A Just World and ALIRAN. He is also a member of Tholikayin Tholar (Friends of Workers).

Stephanie Bastian is a member of Tholilayin Tholar and also an activist for women rights.

Both of them were amongst the 134 arrested and detained on 17/10/98. Rajendran is being kept at the lock up at the Dang Wangi Police Station(near the Stadium), whilst Stephanie is being held at the Wangsa Maju Police Station together with 16 other women.

Amongst those detained was also a 15 year old boy, who is presently kept at the Dang Wangi Police Station. He is not in the lock-up, according to the police. Persons below the age of 18 are usually kept in a special detention center in Sungai Besi. They are not locked up with the adults. This boy was waiting for his parents when he was detained.The boy who was allowed to be visited by his parents, had apparently said that he was beaten on the neck, chest and hands.

An army personal was also arrested but was handed over to the military police, according to the police.

Earlier, a journalist (who had his press tag in full view of everyone) was tackled and brought down by 7-8 policemen, who then arrested him. He was later arrested. At about 11.00pm, he was released. He was beaten. He complained of pain on his head and his eyes were swolen. He was still nauseous and was seen to be still vomiting. Apparently the police hadmade a mistake. (But was it a mistake). Another reporter had also complained of being beaten with the "rotan"(cane) by the police.

Many other onlookers also complained that they were beaten and hit by the police. Police behaviour and actions are intolerable. There is no riot. There is no violence. But still the police resorted to strong arm tactics against both men and women. Why?

The police said that all persons arrested will most likely be remanded. They will not be released. Police did not disclose the time and venue of these remand proceedings. The police can only detain a person for 24 hours after arrest. For further detention, the police need to bring the detainee before a magistrate and obtain a remand order for a period not exceeding 14 days from the date of arrest, and the purpose of this remand is for the purpose of investigation. A detainee can be represented by a lawyer, but lawyers will find it difficult when the venue and the timing of these proceedings have not been disclosed, even after lawyers have requested for this information.

68 men are being detained at the Dang Wangi Police Station, 48 other men are being detained at the Campbell Police Station. 17 women are presently being held at the Wangsa Maju Police Station.