RTI Activist
was brutally attacked in mid-night – A case of Jagatsingh Pur district, Odisha
Dear
friends
Growing
attack on RTI Activists fighting against corruption across the state is matter
of concern for all of us in the present day. Every day, we find allegation of attack
against RTI Activists, harassment, institution of false case against them,
threats to family members etc. In fact, Odisha
under Nabin Patnaik regime witness
huge corruption ,
irregularities and loot of crores of
rupees from state exchequer by BJD
leaders, Govt. officials, contractors
etc. Mega scams like Mining Scam, Land Scam, Medhabruti Scam, Chhatua Scam has been exposed under RTI in the state. Due to rampant corruption and irregularities
in implementation of development schemes and programme perpetuated by criminal
nexus of BJD leaders and officials, RTI
is being used as last resort by the
RTI Activists and common people to expose it.
RTI is being used mostly to get information about procedure followed for allotment
of houses under Biju Pucca Yojana, IAY
and management of ICDS programme , MDM, sanction and expenditure of fund sanctioned
for different work under MGNREGA
etc. Apprehending being exposed
due to disclosure of information under RTI , the vested groups, Govt. officials
, BJD leaders mastermind attacks on them
and threaten them to withdraw RTI Applications, also influence them with monetary benefits. Nabin Patnaik Govt.
is also trying hard to make silent burial of RTI in the state . So that corruption will continue unabatedly in
interest of BJD leaders.
Suresh
Lenka of Kushur Gram Panchayat of Balikuda block is another victim of RTI
Activism in Odisha. As an RTI Activist,
Suresh has passion to file RTI to
different offices to fight out corruption in Govt. works. While obtaining information from Kushur Gram
Panchayat, He came to know that around Rs. 1 lakh has been misappropriated by Sarapanch and Panchayat Executive
officer without any sanction of the project under MGNREGA. Similarly, he also noticed huge
irregularities in distribution of houses under Biju Pucca Yojana and IAY. He also exposed how lakhs of rupees has been misappropriated in the name of IAY
house without building and beneficiary. Armed with the information, he along with fellow-villagers filed complaint
to BDO, Balikuda block and also Block Grievance Cell for investigation into the matter. After repeated allegations,
District Panchayat Officer was entrusted to
conduct inquiry about it.
On 25.5.18., having heard about order of
inquiry, the vested groups mainly local touts of Biju Janata Dal
Bhagu Biswal, Satyanand Behera, Kishor Hati, Rabi swain and others forcibly entered
into house of Suresh Lenka at 10 PM night, beaten
him up black and white and threatened
him not to pursue the matter and
refrain from using RTI.
On
the next day, Suresh lenka filed FIR in local police station , Balikuda. The
police without registering the case tried
to pressurise Suresh for
compromise under political
influence. As Suresh and his friends
remained stubborn and demanded for registration of FIR, the police on 28.5.18 has registered the case
but yet to start investigation. As
the local police stations have been highly politicised and
functioning at behest of BJD leaders,
Suresh has doubt to get any justice from
the police.
Odisha
Soochana Adhikar Abhijan ( a forum of RTI Activists ) has demanded immediate arrest of culprits
and ensure protection to Suresh Lenka
and allow him to continue his RTI work
in Balikuda block.
Pradip Pradhan
M-9937843482
Date- 29.5.18
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