Activists of Movement against Intimidation, Threat and Revenge against Activists (MITRA), which was set up on behalf of all activists and NGOs to prevent attacks on them has demanded protection from the state government for taking up social causes in public interest. This has come after the murder of a public spirited environmental and civic activist Shehla Masood, who was shot on August 16, had made headlines at brief intervals. MITRA, in a letter, has hinted that at the end of the year 2010 several activists lost their lives while investigating nefarious land deals, environmental destruction and other illegal activities in Maharashtra. It has appealed to the government to take its protection on top of the agenda for the rest of the year and the next.
“In most of these cases, no arrests have been made. It seems apparent that the mafias engaging in illegal activities are fearless when attacking those who interfere with their activities. Despite a suo moto petition of the HC and various measures listed in affidavits, attacks and murders continue. While implementation of the G.R. is lagging, genuine activists working in the public interest feel unsafe,” said Sumaira Abdulali, who herself was attacked earlier for exposing the sand mafia.
Names of activists who have been attacked before:
Nayana Kathpalia fired at in her Churchgate home for filing PIL against hawkers.
Satish Shetty killed for exposing land scams
Arun Sawant killed exposing land scams
Vithal Gite killed for exposing corruption in local school
Dattatreya Patil killed for exposing corruption in Handloom Sector
Sumaira Abdulali, Naseer Jalal and Viju B. assaulted at Mahad for inspecting sand mining site
Stalin D. and Debi Goenka assaulted while inspecting site of mangrove destruction