Indian Express: Patna: Saturday, July 07, 2018.
Citing
threats to life, a panel RTI activists in Bihar on Friday demanded security
cover and the arrest of those involved in the killing of four of their
associates in the last six months.
Nagrik
Adhikar Manch submitted a memorandum to Bihar Police chief K.S. Dwivedi here
and said they were living under constant fear.
"Since
the RTI Act came into force in 2005, 14 activists, including four in the last
six months, have been killed in Bihar. It is a matter of serious concern and
the government should take note of it," said RTI activist Shiv Prakash
Rai.
Rai said they
had demanded the arrest of all those behind the murder of the 14 RTI activists.
"Not a single accused has been arrested so far. It has left us
disappointed... and has boosted the confidence of corrupt government
officials," he said.
Another activist
Mahender Yadav said: "It is a bad phase for RTI activists in Bihar as
anything can happen to them. They may be eliminated, thanks to the powerful
nexus of mafia engaged in development schemes and construction works with
politicians, government officers, and criminals."
Activist
Valmiki Yadav and his friend Karu Yadav were shot dead on June 30 by
unidentified assailants in Jamui district. Yadav is said to have exposed
several rackets and financial irregularities in the public welfare schemes and
developmental works in the district.
Another RTI
activist Rajender Kumar Singh was shot dead in East Champaran district last
month whereas Jayant Kumar met with a similar fate in Vaishali district in
April. Early this year, Rahul Jha was shot dead in Saharsa district.