Human rights watchdog Amnesty International's annual report for 2012, released on Thursday, has painted a bleak picture of the human rights situation in India, particularly in the Adivasi and Dalit areas and regions where the Maoists are active.

"Human rights defenders in India incurred the wrath of both state and non-state agencies with charges of sedition against some and threats levelled against others, and torture of citizens remained rife in certain states," the report alleges.

It adds that Indian authorities were reluctant to speak out on human rights crises elsewhere too. "India was silent on violations committed during the dramatic changes in the Middle East and North Africa, as well as on those committed by neighbouring Myanmar. It failed to support demands for Sri Lanka to be held accountable for the violations committed at the end of that country's war in 2009."

New Delhi, however, would argue that its foreign policy, particularly with regard to its neighbours, including Myanmar, is based on national interests.

The Amnesty report cites specific instances of killings of Dalits and Adivasis across India during the past year.

According to it, communities in India complained that recent legislation guaranteeing their rights over forest lands was not being implemented properly, and alleged that the new laws did not address the issue of their free, prior and informed consent for the projects.

The rights watchdog says activists defending the rights of Adivasis and other marginalised communities, and those using recent legislation to obtain information to protect rights, were targeted by state and non-state agencies.

Referring to the violence in Maoists hubs, the report notes that clashes continued between the rebels and the state throughout last year.

"In Chhattisgarh alone, more than 3,000 people, including combatants, had been killed in the clashes since 2005... and 20,000 were dispersed in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa."