Lawlessness Rules, Chhattisgarh: Bela Bhatia’s Account

Bela Bhatia, researcher and human rights defender is not the first to have been threatened by a mob, clearly enjoying the protection and patronage of the powers that be, and probably will not be the last.

Yesterday, Sabrangindia reported that Ms Bhatia was threatened by the mob who directly intimidated her with violence.
 
Today, Ms Bhatia has shared this account of what actually happened,
 
“ I have been attacked by a mob of 30 or so men who came in a white bolero-type vehicle and mobikes. This was the beginning. Later it became big and ugly. They threatened their way inside the house.
 
“They said I would have to leave the house immediately or they would burn the place. Somehow I persuaded them to allow me to change and that I would leave the house right then. I managed to call the collector and alert him to what was happening. I locked the house and came out. They had got the landlady to come out and were threatening her that she must see to it that I move out immediately.
 
“I kept reassuring them that I would asap. That my landlord and his sons had been called to the thana yesterday. And that they have already communicated to me that I must leave. They were very belligerent and kept threatening to break the lock and burn. The sarpanch had come by then and was watching.
 
“After about half hour police arrived from Parpa than a including the thanedar. The belligerence of the mob continued.”
 
Bhatia has been in the crosshairs of the Chhattisgarh administration ever since she helped tribal women register an FIR against security personnel for gang rape and grievous sexual assault last November, had reported The Hindu.

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are the author's personal views, and do not necessarily represent the views of Newsclick.