Alleging false implication of RTI activist Dillip Samantray and demanding his unconditional release, several activists of Nayagarh district on Saturday met the district Collector and submitted a memorandum.
They alleged that the police bowing to the pressure of the mine mafia have arrested Samantray vindictively.
According to their allegations, Samantray and some other RTI activists of the district had filed a petition before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) raising issues like excess mining of minerals from Mayurjhalia mines under Ranpur block, pollution caused by the mining and loss of revenue.
Consequently, the NGT had directed the district Collector to take action against those involved. Acting on the direction, cases against 11 persons including lease holder Sushant Barad were registered. Later, five government employees were suspended and leaseholder Barad was arrested.
Upon his release from the jail, he lodged a complaint at Chandpur police station accusing Samantray of demanding Rs 20 lakh extortion and issuing death threats to his family members on October 15.
On the basis of Barad’s complaint, the police arrested Samantray.
“We have requested the district Collector to take steps to release Dillip Samantray, who is innocent, and instead take action against Barad,” said Soumya Ranjan Pradhan, an RTI activist.
When contacted over his mobile phone, Chandpur police station IIC Jagdish Kar said, “The case has been registered on the basis of his (Sushant Barad's) complaint wherein he alleged that Dillip Samantray was demanding money from him and threatening him to implicate him in a false case. An investigation is underway.”