A local investigative journalist Shashikant Warishe who was actively reporting on Green’ refinery project in the Barsu-Solgaon area in Maharashtra, died on Tuesday after being run over by an influential refinery supporter in the area on Monday, hours after the journalist published a news report against the latter.
The incident is believed to be a retaliation against journalist Shashikant Varishe, who worked for the local Marathi newspaper Dainik Mahanagari Times, by the accused Pandharinath Amberkar, for reporting against him.
The report appeared on Monday, February 6, 2023. According to eye-witnesses, Amberkar was driving along the highway in his SUV vehicle (MH08AX6100) when he spotted Warishe in his two-wheeler and turned his vehicle and drove into Warishe.
People’s Union of Civil Liberties (Maharashtra) said it is shocked at the ghastly killing of journalist Warishe.
“Photographic evidence clearly shows the manner in which Warishe’s two-wheeler was crushed under the wheels of the SUV. While details are awaited on the entire case, it was apparent that Warishe was targeted for his article in the newspaper that said that FIRs had been lodged against Amberkar for land grab intimidation,” the human rights group said.
PUCL said it believes that the killing of the journalist is designed to silence and intimidate all those who dare to speak up and to uncover the intimidation and land-grab that has been going on in the name of acquisition of land for the project.
“There have been major violations of the civil liberties with the ongoing agitation of residents over the location of the Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd in the eco-sensitive zone in Rajapur taluka of Ratnagiri district. Though the project was scrapped in Nanar, it has been shifted to Barsu-Solgaon villages barely 20 kms away. The local residents have continued to raise a voice against the destruction of the environment and expressed grave apprehensions of pollution due to the mega-crore refinery,” read PUCL statement.
Several FIRs have been filed against residents who have been peacefully protesting against the project, PUCL alleged. ”Externment notices have been issued against members of the Refinery Virodhi Sanghatana whereas no action has been taken against the goons engaged by the company. Repression in the area has greatly increased with the locals not even being allowed to hold peaceful meetings. The Gram Panchayats of the area have issued several resolutions protesting against the high handedness of the authorities but to no avail,” PUCL stated in the statement.
Local residents who were organised under the banner of the Refinery Virodhi Sanghatna, to oppose the mega-crore Barsu-Salgaon refinery project in Ratnagiri district of Konkan in Western Maharashtra, have issued statements condemning the incident and demanding a thorough investigation, apart from immediate arrest of the accused.
PUCL said they endorse this demand and adds that the police investigation must be totally independent and free of any influence.
The Police conduct a speedy and impartial investigation into the killing of Shashikant Warishe, PUCL demanded.
