-The Telegraph   The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), which is fighting against big dams, today asked outsiders engaged in the construction of the NHPC dam at Gerukamukh to leave the region immediately, warning that goons might attack them taking advantage of the ongoing protest. “I appeal to all the workers at the NHPC site in Lower Subansiri to stop working for the construction company and help in the fight against big dams....

Anna Hazare's campaign may lead to a new Lokpal Bill, but it has legitimised middle-class vigilantism and other kinds of civil society mobilisation. NOW that Anna Hazare has declared victory, it is time to take stock of one of the most powerful recent mobilisations of people in India, focussed on influencing policy or lawmaking processes. The victory, however, is largely symbolic. The original demand of the movement, carefully built around Hazare's...

In the wake of the recent killing of an RTI activist in Bhopal, another case of an RTI activist getting threats has come to light in Mumbai. Interestingly, this time a senior police inspector of Navghar police station in Mulund could come under the scanner. Ankur Patil, a Mulund based RTI activist who has been collecting information under the RTI Act against the corrupt elected representatives (DNA story “Netas with corruption...

At a time when protest against corruption is making headlines across the country, crusaders for people’s rights are at the receiving end in Bihar. An RTI activist from Rohtas, Ashok Paswan (49), has allegedly received a threat to his life for seeking information on alleged financial irregularities in disbursement of loans to farmers by a nationalised bank in the district. “I received a call on my mobile around 5.30pm on Friday. The...

Anna Hazare's arrest has raised intricate legal questions about the fundamental right to assemble peacefully. At the same time another right is being questioned. According to the legal experts, police in most states are making illegal arrests due to complete ignorance that the procedure related to arrests was amended on November 1 last year. Police must now issue a notice of appearance before making an arrest of a cognizable offense. The...