RTI response: CRPF on defensive

Facing flak for not acknowledging killing of its men in naxal attack as human rights violation, the CRPF today tried to assuage the matter by stating that its response was "misinterpreted" and painted the force in "bad light".

The case pertains to an RTI application filed by human rights activist Venkatesh Nayak seeking inquiry report in the April 24 Sukma attack wherein 25 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were killed in naxal attack.

"I would like to obtain the following information...as prima facie, it pertains to allegations of violation of the right to life of CRPF personnel who were killed in the attack that occurred on April 24, 2017 in Sukma, Chhattisgarh," the application stated.

"I believe this is a fit case for disclosure of information under the second proviso of section 24 of the RTI Act. Kindly obtain the approval of the Central Information Commission (CIC) prior to disclosing the information...," it said.

The force is exempted from making disclosures under the RTI Act, but the second proviso of Section 24(1) of the Act allows disclosure of information sought if it pertains to allegations of human right violations and corruption.