Prez seeks explanation from UP govt on RTI activists complaint

Rampur: Taking strong note of a Muslim Social activist from Rampur writing a letter to the United Nations seeking shelter after being harassed at the behest of the Cabinet minister Azam Khan, the President Pranab Mukerjee has shot off a missive to the Akhilesh government seeking a report from the state government.

The complaint was sent by a Muslim social activist Danish Khan to the President. He had had also written to UN for shelter after surrendering his Indian citizenship if his harassment at the behest of heavyweight Minister Mohd Azam Khan was not stopped in his native district Rampur.

"I am being victimised by Azam Khan and was even sent to jail for 10 months during which my mother and sister died. I was punished and harassed for opposing Azam Khan and his high-handedness,'' he has written in the letter to the United Nations.

He said his fault was that he had opposed the demolition of Balmiki colony on the directions of the UP Minister who rules the roost in Rampur and the administration always followed his diktats. '' I am fed up with harassment and finding it extremely difficult to stay in India any more,''Danish further added.

Danish, in fact, was very vocal when the suspended IPS officer Amitabh Thakur and his social activist wife Nutan Thakur had visited aggrieved residents of Balmiki colony. This had earned him the wrath of Azam Khan. Since then his family was under constant pressure and threat.

Taking cognizance of the letter, the President has written a letter to the UP Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan seeking a report on this matter urgently.