URGENT PRESS STATEMENT;
POLICE REFORMS WATCH AND MAHITI ADHIKAR MANCH WELCOMES THE PROMPT INiTIATIVE BY THE MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT ON PROVIDING SECURITY TO RTI ACTIVISTS IN MAHARASHTRA. WE WANT THIS TO BE DONE IN A TIME BOUND MANNER. Mahiti Adhikar Manch and Police Reforms Watch had taken up the issue with both the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and the Chief Information Commissioner when Ms Deepti Ghosal,RTI Activist and a Student of Mira Road was attacked on September 26. Mr. We thank Shri Ratnakar Gaikwad, Chief Information Commissioner for immediately intervening with the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra. We also thank Shri. J.K.Banthia, the Chief Secretary for acting promptly on the issue of security to the RTI activists. This has been widely reported in the news media today, October 13, 2013. We also thank Mr. Julio Rebeiro, former Mumbai Police Commissioner and Trustee of PCGT who had also taken up the issue wih the Police and concerned officials. Enclosed is the press statement released on September 26 which is self explanatory. warm regards, Dolphy D'souza Bhaskar Prabhu Convenor Convenor Police Reforms Watch Mahiti Adhikar Manch 09820226227 09892102424 ----- Original Message ----- From: Police Reforms Watch To: pr.Bhaskar Prabhu Sent: Thursday, September 26, 2013 4:43 PM Subject: We condemn the assault on Ms Deepti Ghosal, RTI Activist and demand security for her and her family. Please arrest the goons who were responsible for this. You may sent this to Mr. Gaikwad. FYI POLICE REFORMS WATCH Urgent Press Statement. Re: We condemn the Assault on Ms Deepti Ghosal, RTI Activist and Student of Mira Road. We had urged both Shri Ratnakar Gaikwad, Chief Information Commissioner, Maharashtra and Shri Julio Rebeiro, former Mumbai Police Commissioner to intervene which they have done with the State Government and the Police. Thank you Sirs. We also condemn the attitude of the Mira Road police who did not take appropriate action to prevent this assault and demand that the guilty police officials must be taken to task. We demand that a thorough and fast investigation into the assault and immediate steps to arrest those responsible for this attack failing which civil society groups will demonstrate outside the said Police Station . POLICE REFORMS WATCH, MAHITI ADHIKAR MANCH, WATCHDOG FOUNDATION, SAVE OUR LAND [SOUL] TEAM were shocked to read about the brutal attack on the College Student, Ms Deepti Ghosal, an 18 year old RTI activist from Mira Road. This is the latest in a series of attacks on RTI activists in the city as well as in our state. We requested Shri Ratnakar Gaikwad , State Chief Information Commissioner who has taken up this matter with the Chief Secretary of Maharashtra , Shri J.K. Bantia. Copy of the said communication is enclosed. -----Original Message----- From: ratnakar_gaik...@hotmail.com Date: Thu, 26 Sep 2013 02:29:14 To: Jayant Banthia<jayantbant...@yahoo.co.in> Reply-To: ratnakar_gaik...@hotmail.com Ratnakar Gaikwad 26/9/2013 Chief Information Commissioner, Maharashtra Dear Shri Banthia, Of late,there has been sharp increase in number of assaults on RTI activists. The recent assault on Ms Deepti Ghosal, RTI Activist and Student of Mira Road is a cause for serious concern. As you are aware, the effective implementation of RTI Act depends among other things on giving adequate protection to whistle blowers/ RTI activists who expose the vested interests and corruption in Public Authorities. Unfortunately, Govt has so far not taken effective and adequate steps in the matter. I would like to bring to your notice , a resolution passed in the meeting of the Central Information Commission held on 13.9.2011 chaired by the then Chief Information Commissioner, Shri Satyananda Mishra "The Central Information Commission expresses regret and takes note of the reported killings of and assault on the RTI users across the country. The Commission underlines the need to take urgent steps by the respective Governments for the safety and protection of the RTI users. The Commission strongly believes that it is the duty and responsibility of the respective Governments to safeguard the life and liberty of the RTI users for which purpose they should invoke the relevant penal provisions for the prevention and detection of such heinous crimes."..... This commission therefore requests the state govt to take urgent steps in the matter by issuing suitable instructions to Director General of Police, Maharashtra as well as to all Commissioners of Police to take proactive and effective steps to give protection to RTI Activists in the state. Regards, Ratnakar Gaikwad Chief Information Commissioner, Maharashtra In addition, Shri Julio Rebeiro, the former Police Commissioner of Mumbai and Trustee of PCGT has also taken up the matter with the Supdt of Police with a copy to Spl.IGP - Law and Order Shri Deven Bharti which is enclosed for your informatio. The State Home Minister must walk the talk and ensure that appropriate action is taken against the erring police officials and also provide all security to the said student who is a women and her family. We demand justice for this RTI ACTIVIST Ms Deepti Ghosal and also arrest of all those responsible for this attack and protection to the victim and her family. Dolphy Dsouza Bhaskar Prabhu Convenor Convenor POLICE REFORMS WATCH Mahiti Adhikar Manch 43, Kalina, Santacruz East, 09892102424 Mumbai 400 029. Cell: 09820226227 Email: policereformswa...@gmail.com f