Journalist J Dey's murder: Police need to be proactive, say activists

The murder of veteran crime journalist J Dey on Saturday has worried social activists in the city, with many accusing the police of being uncooperative.

Aftab Siddiqui, a Khar resident who received threats for exposing alleged corruption in the Slum Rehabilitation Authority and in the control of minority development funds, said: “The police commissioner had said that it is not necessary for targets to name the people they suspect, but the police refuse to take investigations forward unless such information is given.”

HS D’Lima, who became the first activist to be attacked in the city, said the police are reactive instead of being proactive or preventive in their measures. “Last month, I received two threats,” he said.

“But the police station refused to register a cognisable offence, even though I named the person, until the DCP intervened. Officials are hand in glove with the criminals. The BMC’s ward officer let out my name to the person against whom I had filed a complaint of illegal construction.”

He added: “If day-to-day visible crime is not dealt with strictly, such attacks will continue to take place. The Kurar murders are a good example.”

Nayana Kathpaliya, who was attacked last year, said identifying the suspects is difficult when the activist’s area of activism is not specific.