RTI activist attacked in Vyara town

Surat: An RTI activist, Romel Sutariya, was allegedly thrashed by a group of unidentified persons outside mines and mineral department office in Vyara town of in Tapi district on Tuesday. Sutariya was visiting the office to get update on his pending RTI applications.
After meeting the geologist in the office, when Sutariya was going to collector office for hearing in a complaint he had filed in illegal mining case, he was attacked by unknown persons.
Police has registered a complaint and started investigation. They have also got CCTV footage of the incident and attempts are being made to identify persons involved in the attack. Sutariya suffered minor injuries and was given first aid treatment at a hospital.
Sutariya has lodged complaint with Vyara police. Police has registered FIR against group of unidentified persons under Indian Penal Code sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 143 (unlawful assembly).
"I came out of the geologist's office and walking on my way to collector office when the group attacked. I don't know any of them but police have got some CCTV footages. I believe they targeted me for my RTI applications against illegal mining," said Sutariya.
"I have filed several RTI pleas in government departments in Tapi district to expose illegal mining. These mines does not have required approvals from all the government mainly environment clearance," he added.
"Police have registered the complaint and attempts are on to identify those involved in the attack. Some CCTV footages have been recovered from around the place of attack," said A S Motavar, police sub inspector, Vyara.