Team Anna to stage fast seeking justice for slain officer

Team Anna members will stage a three-day fast in Bhopal from Tuesday demanding enactment of a stringent law to protect whistle blowers and justice for the 30-year-old IPS officer, who was brutally killed allegedly by a mining mafia in Madhya Pradesh, an official statement said.

“Indians won’t be mute spectators to this political tamasha (drama) this time round. Team Anna and thousands will stage three-day fast and protest in Bhopal to pay tribute to Narendra Kumar and demand a stronger law for the whistle-blowers,” the statement here said.

On March 8, the 2009 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, Narendra Kumar Singh, was mowed down by a tractor-trolley, being driven by an alleged member of the mining mafia, when he tried to stop the vehicle carrying illegally-quarried stones in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.

“The gory killing brings to fore the need for a strong whistle-blowers system under control of Jan Lokpal and Jan Lokayukta,” said the statement.

According to Team Anna, the government has so far not agreed to a Central Bureau Investigation (CBI) probe and has settled for a judicial probe.

“The family of the officer has demanded a CBI probe, but the government has so far denied one and has settled for a judicial probe. His family has also questioned the statements made by the gunner and driver of Narender indicating that there is more than what meets the eye,” the statement said.

“We demand that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan should immediately pass the Jan Lokayukta bill in the state like the one passed in Uttrakhand,” the statement said.

In a statement Team Anna has said that at least 15 Indians, who tried to blow the lid off the corruption scams or fought the menace in other ways, have been killed since 2010.

“While the Jan Lokpal ensures security to the whistle blowers, the proposed bill on the issue floated by the government is inadequate and gives the powers to Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) which in a way is a statutory body and cannot act of its own,” the statement said.

“Strong whistle-blower protection law is needed, not the one presented by the UPA. Government’s law seeks to protect the corrupt and victimize whistle blowers,” the statement added.