 Home |
| About Us |
| Events |
| Projects |
| Register |
| Newsroom |
| Right To Info |
| Other Orgs |
| Talk Back! |
| Donate |
 |
|
|
Other Groups Working Towards Good Governance :: MITRA |
| MITRA, Mumbai | ||
| About MITRA | ||
| Mitra (Movement against Intimidation, Threats and Revenge against Activists) was formed because of the felt need of NGOs and activists, working in various areas of social and environmental reform, for solidarity and protection from vested interests. Following 2 recent attacks on activists – on Balu Panchal by a group of builders carrying out illegal construction in an eco sensitive zone, (Mahableshwar) and on Sumaira Abdulali by the sand mafia in Kihim - a number of outraged NGOs and prominent individuals, headed by Mr B G Deshmukh, retired Cabinet Secretary and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, showed public solidarity and joined hands for the first time to form Mitra. | ||
| The 2 attacks brought into focus the very real threat that every activist faces when he confronts a mercenary and ruthless vested interest. It was seen in both cases that politicians, administration and the police were in close collusion with the wrongdoer, and that it was only when the attacks were publicized through the Press that action was (half heartedly) taken. It is the fear and helplessness resulting from this nexus between the Government and the vested interests which isolates and marginalizes the work of single activists and often renders it ineffective. While the victim faces severe pain and sometimes even death (as in the case of Navleen Kumar, who was murdered by the land mafia in Nalla Sopara last year), the perpetrator often gets away scot free. | ||
| Violence should have no place in civil society, and Mitra’s message is that violence is unacceptable, regardless. In order to protect NGOs and lone activists in the course of their work, while Mitra will not directly participate in any activist’s mission, it will accord protection to all those who ask for it by publicly showing solidarity against threats of violence from vested interests. We will maintain a database of activists and the vested interests which they confront and will regularly interact with the Government to accord protection to them. In case of any incidence of violence, we will provide legal and administrative help. At a later stage, we would provide financial help, and institute a system of public recognition. | ||
| To start with, we will take up seriously the 2 recent cases, and follow them up with the Government and through the courts. We will demand that they be seen through to their logical end and the wrongdoers punished | ||
| Mitra Team | ||
| Contact Information: | ||
|
Office: c/o Public Concern for Governance Trust, PO Box No 2498, 10 Worli Sea Face, Mumbai 400 018, Tel: 22844356 |
EMail: mitra10_AT_rediffmail_DOT_com The email has been reformatted to counter spam agents. Replace "_AT_" by "@" and "_DOT_" by "." |
Contact Person: Sumaira Abdulali 74, New Silver Home, New Kantwadi Road, Bandra, Mumbai 400 050 Tel: 982 15 20805 |