Daijiworld Media Network

Bhopal, Aug 17: A Bhopal-based activist Shehla Masood has now become a victim of attacks on people who have tried to expose wrongdoings through the Right to Information's Act.

Unidentified assailants shot Masood in broad daylight as she was getting into her car outside her residence in Bhopal's Koh-e-Fiza neighbourhood.

Masood had been recently carrying a campaign for wildlife and tiger conservation. Police suspect that her campaign may have hurt a few vested interests.

She was killed on the day when thousands of people rallied across the country in support of activist Anna Hazare. Masood was also supporting Hazare in Bhopal.

Sumaira Abdulali of MITRA- a campaign against intimidation and threats to rights activists said, "After every such incident, there are press reports and promises made by the government but nothing happens. Instead of gun-toting policemen for protection, we need an environment where ordinary citizens can take up issues without the fear of being attacked or killed."

RTI activists have often been harassed. MITRA has sent a letter to the home minister listing such assaults.

In 2010 alone, at least 10 RTI activists were killed, apparently in revenge attacks.