After the recent attack on the additional collector, activists have once again raised their concern about people violating the law against those fighting for it.
After the recent attack on the additional collector, activists have once again raised their concern about people violating the law against those fighting for it.
“Why will anyone follow or abide by the law if people fighting for it are not protected? The police have alert citizen services where they expect people to help the police. Are they protecting them is the question?” said Shailesh Shetty, a Chembur activist who was threatened and stabbed for taking up an open space fight in Chembur.
Activists like Shetty are now increasingly questioning the outcome of the measures taken by the government on the attacks that have already taken place. “In my case, the probe seems to have gone cold because no one was caught. Over the years, greed and illegal money seem to be the big reasons for this. The government needs to understand that conviction has to take place. The person attacking the collector had four-five charge sheets againt him,” said Nayana Kathpaliya who was attacked last year.
There is a visible lack of faith in police authorities, despite the high court taking suo motto cognisance of attacks on activists. “I still get threat calls and nothing has happened. The police just say that they are enquiring. Security is no solution. There needs to be community policing,” said Aftab Siddiqui.
“Forget fighting terrorism, we cannot even fight local goons. When government officers meet this kind of fate, they should wake up and think of citizens,” added Shetty.
Some like Yogacharya Anandji Joshi even question police intent, claiming corruption. “They themselves are land mafia in uniform. After my complaint on an IPS society, the enquiry was given to a senior IPS who was the society’s secretary. The officer threatened me with an encounter. My 24-hour security was reduced to 12 hours and during no security, my car was damaged,” alleged Anandji.
Sumaira Abdulali, who was threatened and wrote a letter to the CM last year, is already writing another one. “Last year was the worst for activists. I asked the CM to take this issue on priority. If the government does not act, these people will get bolder and attacks will become a way of life. We need to understand that either people need to change the law or implement it. Otherwise, if it comes to drawing the line, each will have their own take,” said Abdulali.
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