Protesting the alleged murder of RTI activist Chandra Mohan Sharma, hundreds of people took a candle march in streets of Greater Noida on Sunday evening. The candle march started from the Chandra Mohan’s residence in Alpha-II sector to various places and it also passed around the Pari Chowk area. The participants were demanding CBI investigation into the case. Apart from the grieving family members, scores of RTI activists, social activists and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers joined the march.
It may be recalled that the charred body of 38-year-old RTI activist Chandra Mohan, who had unearthed several cases of land grabbing in Greater Noida region was found in his Chevrolet car near Eldeco crossing on Thursday night. The family members of the deceased had suspected murder as he had been in receipt of threats from the bahubalis of the area. Meanwhile, initial investigation by police has revealed death due to fire in the car and the post-mortem report too indicated death due to asphyxiation caused by toxic smoke in the burning car.
Videsh Kumar, brother-in-law of the activist alleged that police was in cahoots with the accused persons. Only a high-level probe could unravel the truth, he added. First they (police) failed to provide security after regular attacks and now they are pleading helplessness to nab the accused. “Trying to phony up murder as mishap will not save the skin of land sharks. Today we took a peaceful protest but have decided to gear up our agitation if police fails to arrest the accused men, namely Brijesh, Raju, Rajkumar, Aanand and Praveen, musclemen of the area who had attacked earlier. The role of police is under scanner since beginning,” said Videsh.
Manoj Kumar, an RTI activist and AAP leader who participated in candle march, said that it is very unfortunate that activists are being targeted in Greater Noida region. The authorities must secure the life of the people who fight for a social cause. “As Chandra Mohan had uncovered a few cases of land grabbing, police must provide security to him after repeated attempts on his life. We demand a fair probe in this case, else we intensify our agitation in the coming days,” said Manoj.