Dear Friends
We strongly condem the brutal murder of Lalit. It was really sad and painful
incident. Government/ civil society institutions can not slove the problems
related with Naxals, if these types of incidents are at Palamu. We will try our
best to be 0n 26th with you people.
Regards
Nalini Kant
Quoting [EMAIL PROTECTED]:
MURDER OF LALIT MEHTA IN PALAMAU:<BR>AIMLESS CRIME OR PLANNED
INTIMIDATION?<BR><BR>We are deeply disturbed by the recent murder of Lalit
Kumar Mehta, member of Vikas Sahyog Kendra (Palamau District), who was brutally
killed on 14 May 2008 as he was returning from Daltonganj to Chhattarpur on a
motorcycle. <BR><BR>The circumstances of this murder are disturbing. Lalit
(aged 36), an active member of the right to food campaign and Gram Swaraj
Abhiyan, has been working in this area for more than 15 years on issues related
to the right to food and the right to work. He was a very gentle person and his
work was widely appreciated. However he was also fearless in exposing
corruption and exploitation, and often came in the way of vested interests.
<BR><BR>At the time of this incident, Lalit was helping a team of volunteers
from Delhi and elsewhere to conduct a social audit of NREGA works in Chainpur
and Chhattarpur Blocks of Palamau District. Attempts had
already been made to dissuade the team from conducting this investigation,
particularly in Chainpur Block. Is it a coincidence that Lalit was murdered
just one day after the investigation began?<BR><BR>If this murder was an act of
intimidation, it did not succeed. Friends and supporters from all over
Jharkhand gathered at Vikas Sahyog Kendra on 17 May. They unanimously resolved
to continue the campaign against corruption and exploitation in this area.
<BR><BR>A public hearing of NREGA will be held in Chhattarpur on 26 May. We
appeal to all those who stand in solidarity with Lalit and his work to
participate in this event.<BR><BR>Our immediate demands: (1) CBI enquiry into
this incident; (2) strict action on all the complaints and irregularities
emerging from this social audit of NREGA.<BR><BR>Balram (Right to Food
Campaign), Jean Drèze (Allahabad University), Jawahar (Vikas Sahyog Kendra),
Meghnath (Akhra, Ranchi), Vinoy Ohdar (ActionAid) and others
including all members of Gram Swaraj Abhiyan.<BR><BR>Local contact:
06566-290013 (Vikas Sahyog Kendra)
