Right to Information (RTI) activists are being increasingly targeted. While some have been threatened and intimidated, others have been tortured and killed.
Image Courtesy: Times of India
In a letter Pradeep Pradhan, rights activist and State Convener of Odisha Soochana Adhikar Abhiyan, a forum of RTI activists, has highlighted that RTI activists in Odisha are facing “harassment, institution of false cases against them, threats to family members etc.” The letter says that, “Odisha under Nabin Patnaik regime has witnessed huge corruption, irregularities and loot of crores of rupees from state exchequer by BJD leaders, Govt. officials, contractors etc.” He further highlights that mega scams related to mining, land, Medhabruti, Chhatua etc. have been exposed through filing RTI applications in the state. Further, that due to rampant corruption and irregularities in implementation of development schemes and programmes, allegedly committed by a “criminal nexus of BJD leaders and officials”, RTI remains the last resort for the activists and common people in order that these could be exposed. He says, RTI is mainly being used to get information about procedure followed for allotment of houses under Biju Pucca Yoajana, Indira Awas Yojana (IAY), management of ICDS programme, MDM, sanction and expenditure of funds for different works under MGNREGA etc.
In this context, vested groups such as government officials, BJD leaders, on apprehensions of being exposed, allegedly attack and threaten activists to withdraw RTI application and also influence them with monetary benefits.
The communication from Mr. Pradeep Pradhan says that recently, Suresh Lenka, an RTI activist from Odisha working in Kushur Gram Panchayat of Balikuda block reportedly faced brutal attack ostensibly because of RTI activism. Suresh is a passionate activist who has filed RTI in different offices in order to fight corruption in government works. While in the process of obtaining information from Kushur Gram Panchayat, Suresh found out that Rs. 1 lakh was allegedly misappropriated by the Sarpanch and Panchayat Executive officer despite the fact that there was no sanction for any project under MGNREGA. Reportedly, he also uncovered huge irregularities in distribution of houses under Biju Pucca Yojana and Indira Awas Yojana. One of his findings was huge amount of misappropriation in the IAY scheme, allegedly without the said construction works (building houses and allocation of money to beneficiaries) having taken place. He, along with fellow villagers filed the complaint to BDO, Balikuda block and also Block grievance cell for investigation into the matter. The letter says that the District Panchayat Officer agreed to conduct inquiry after the villagers insisted.
On May 25, upon hearing about the inquiry, allegedly the vested groups comprising mainly of the “local touts” of Biju Janata Dal, Bhagu Biswal, Satyanand Behera, Kishor Hati, Rabi Swain and others forcibly entered Suresh Lenka’s home at 10 pm. They reportedly beat him up brutally and threatened him not to pursue the matter, and further warned him against using RTI.
The letter says, when Suresh Lenka went to file an FIR at local police station, Balikunda the next day, the police allegedly tried to pressurise Suresh for compromise. Pradeep alleges that this was due to political pressure. However, as Suresh and friends insisted on registering the FIR, the police had to lodge one on May 28 but the investigation remains to be started. In his letter Pradeep also alleges that the local police stations have been highly politicised and are functioning at the behest of BJD leaders, and hence Suresh has little hopes that police will proceed in a justified manner in this case.
In view of the grave threat to Suresh Lenka, the Odisha Adhikar Abhiyan has demanded an immediate arrest of the culprits and asked that Suresh Lenka be protected and empowered to carry on his work in RTI in Balikuda block.
