RTI activist attacked for seeking information on illegal mining in Gujarat

The activist Romel Sutharia was attacked by over a dozen persons on his way to the Collector's office for a hearing.

Ahmedabad

: A Right to Information (RTI) activist was allegedly attacked by a group of unidentified persons outside the Collector office in Tapi district of Gujarat for allegedly seeking information and opposing "illegal mining" there, police said on Wednesday.

The incident took place yesterday and a complaint was filed under Indian Penal Code (IPC) sections 143 (unlawful assembly) and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) late last night against the unknown attackers, though no arrests have been made so far, they said.

The activist, identified as Romel Sutharia, was assaulted by over a dozen persons, who also snatched his file bearing documents he had obtained through the RTI when he was on his way to the Collector office for a hearing on his complaint to the Governor.

Sutharia alleged that majority of 62 sand and stone quarries that were given license by the District Mines and Mineral Department were in contravention of environmental guidelines laid down by the government for stone crushing, and were therefore illegal.

"On November 23 last year, I had written to the Governor on large-scale illegal mining of sand and stone over Tapi river and across the district. Collector called me for hearing yesterday when I was attacked," Sutharia said.

Police said they were trying to obtain the CCTV footage to ascertain the identity of the accused.

"We have registered an FIR against unidentified persons and are investigating the matter. We will obtain footage of CCTV cameras installed in the District Collector building," said Vyara Police sub inspector Kantibhai Motavar.

The activist had sought detailed information on mining of sand and stone from the office of the Mines and Mineral Department of Tapi district administration.