Protect activists exposing corruption

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, April 3, 2016 : The National Campaign for Peoples’ Right to Information has written to the State government seeking implementation of the Whistleblowers Protection Act to protect those exposing corruption and wrongdoings.The letter is in the backdrop of the alleged murder of Right to Information activist Vinayak Baliga on March 21.

Those who have signed the letter include Anjali Bharadwaj, Nikhil Dey, Venkatesh Nayak, Bhaskar Prabhu, Rakesh Dubuddu and Joykumar Wahengbam.

On Apr 2,  Saturday, Nikhil Shenoy, a member of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan, and an associate of NCPRI, visited the house of aliga and met his father and other family members. The city police are still searching for a prominent activist of the NaMo Yuva Brigade in Mangaluru, who is said to have involved in the murder. The police have so far arrested two of the three persons who allegedly hacked Baliga to death.

A senior police official overseeing the investigation said that the evidence gathered so far indicated the involvement of the activist in the murder. The reason for the murder seems to be the petition Baliga filed before a city court questioning the audit of the funds of Venkataramana Temple at Car Street.

The senior officer said a team of city police had been deputed to search the activist. The police are yet to find Shiva (20) of Panjimogaru, who is said to be among the three persons who allegedly attacked Baliga. They are also searching for Shrikant (40) of Kavoor, who is said to be a close associate of the activist. The Police Commissioner has issued a look-out notice asking people to give information on their whereabouts.