Tuesday, October 14, 2014

BREAK-IN AND BURGLARY AT ‘PRASHANT’, HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD (A Statement by Fr. Cedric Prakash sj)

BREAK-IN AND BURGLARY AT ‘PRASHANT’, HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD
(A Statement by Fr. Cedric Prakash sj)


Prashant          A  Centre  for  Human  Rights, Justice  and  Peace
                                          Hill Nagar, Near Saffron Hotel, Drive-in Road, Ahmedabad – 380 052
                                                  Tel.:  +91 (079)  66522333,   2745 5913  .   Fax :   +91 (079)  2748 9018
                                      Mobile: 9824034536 .  e-mail : sjprashant@gmail.com    .   www.humanrightsindia.in



BREAK-IN AND BURGLARY AT ‘PRASHANT’, HUMAN RIGHTS CENTRE, AHMEDABAD
(A Statement by Fr. Cedric Prakash sj)

On the night of October 7th / 8th, 2014, there was a break-in and burglary at ‘PRASHANT’, our Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace in Ahmedabad.

On October 6th and 7th 2014, I was in Bombay to participate in some important meetings and programmes. I returned to Ahmedabad by a very early Ahmedabad flight and as is customary, I first went to the office building of ‘PRASHANT’ before going to my residence which is just behind on the same campus.  I opened the Centre, went into my cabin and was about to start the computer, when I realized that my desktop computer was missing! I was rather alarmed when I simultaneously noticed that the back door of our Centre (which is adjacent to my cabin) was broken open with a bed sheet just lying on the steps below. I called my Jesuit companions and telephoned some of my office colleagues immediately and also called the police emergency number 100 to register a complaint.

In a matter of minutes, the police arrived and they were there for most of the day till almost 4.30 pm.  In between, they had called in the dog squad, the forensic and the finger-print experts. Besides, the routine inquiry was done with me and with my colleagues.  An FIR dated 8th October 2014 No. 290/14 was filed at the Ghatlodia Police Station, Ahmedabad under sections 457 and 380 of IPC.

So what was stolen was my desktop PC, the hard disk and my keyboard with all connections to them meticulously cut; besides, another cable of the internet provider which was serving our other computers was also cut and stolen.  The intruders seemed to have moved around in several places of the office (some footprints evidence this) but were careful not to have disturbed / upset anything; besides, nothing else seemed to have been taken away though there was some cash (in a drawer which was opened) which could have easily tempted an ordinary burglar.

What is obvious that what took place in ‘PRASHANT’ on the night of 7th / 8th October was no ordinary theft! It was meticulously planned and executed apparently by professionals or with the help of some. The sole aim was obviously to get the data which was on my PC. It is common knowledge that since we are a Centre for Human Rights Justice and Peace, we have been taking an unequivocal stand on human rights and justice very specially on critical issues affecting the minorities, the poor and the marginalized of Gujarat.

It is anyone’s guess at this stage of who is / are the brains behind this break-in! One thing is amply clear that human rights defenders and those who stand up for truth and justice are in for difficult times in the days to come.

We will however, continue to be relentless in our struggle – whatever the obstacles, whatever the intimidations, harassments and other difficulties. We are convinced that truth and justice will ultimately triumph!

(Kindly note: We had no intention to go to the media on this; but since last night some media have been calling us – since they seem to have received news of this incident from some “police source”;  that is why this statement.)

14th October, 2014
Fr. Cedric Prakash sj

Director

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