Suresh Oraon

RTI Activist

HRDA has issued an urgent appeal to the National Human Rights Commission of India on 13^th June, regarding the murder of RTI activist and human rights defender Mr. Suresh Oraon. He was a RTI activist and used the RTI Act extensively to expose the corruption in the forceful displacement made in mining projects and other social scheme implementation in the area.

Suresh was at Piparwar, Chatra to participate in a prayer meeting of Sarna Samiti. Four assailants came in two motorcycles. Two of them asked a local man to call Suresh to a desolate spot near the meeting venue. When Suresh reached that spot, one of the unknown assailant fired nine bullets from a close range at him. Suresh fell down and the assailants drove away towards the jungle. Suresh was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. It has been alleged by the local people that Suresh might have been killed by the CCL goons or the mining mafia. However, the police has stated that the way in which killing took place it appeared that professionals were involved. The police based on villagers’ versions also claim this to be done by the Naxals.

HRDA prayed for thorough investigation and to take immediate actions on the perpetrators of the case.