Times of India: Navi Mumbai: Tuesday,
October 18, 2016.
Following the
murder of the Mumbai based RTI activist, Bhupendra Vira, the Navi Mumbai RTI
activists have raised a security concern and sought reforms to enhance the
protection of those seeking right to information.
A group of
city RTI activists have written letters to the President of India, PMO and also
Maharashtra heads urging the authorities to implement the Whistleblowers
Protection Act, 2011, and ensure that activists who fight corruption are
protected.
"The
Whistleblowers Protection Bill was first placed in 2011 and later amended in
2014. In Navi Mumbai, there are many fighting against land sharks and illegal
constructions, which often leads to unpleasant situations," said RTI
activist Anarjit Chauhan.
Another
activist Hemant Sharma of Sahayak NGO, added, "What happened to Vira in
Santacruz (east) can also happen here. There are several mafia elements who
attack activists. Two years ago, I was fighting against illegal structures in
Koparkhairane, I received threats. The city police reassured me but I felt that
more security was required."
The deputy
commissioner of police (zone 1) Prashant Khaire, said, "We will provide
security to any person who has heightened levels of threat perception. Whether
police bodyguards are to be deployed has to be decided at the police
headoffice."
RTI activist
Sandeep Thakur, who has taken on big cases of illegal constructions and
encroachments, said, "A stronger law which addresses the safety of RTI
activists is required. Earlier, when I was fighting for the demolition of
illegal Glass House in Belapur, I was given police protection although I did
not ask for it."
The activists
plan to meet the zonal police heads and the police chief later this week to
discuss the issue of safety.
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