AAP slams IB report on NGOs

"The purposefully leaked IB report, marked 'secret' naming senior reputed activists, NGOs and people's movements and accusing them of hurting the national economic security is nothing but an attempt at criminalising any dissenting voices. AAP sees this as a move to curbing the activities of groups and individuals working to protect the life and livelihood of people living on the margins, and working to protect land, water, forest and other natural resources," the AAP said in a statement.

 

"The content, tone and tenor of the IB report in fact suggests that it is being misused by its political bosses. The IB remains a completely non-transparent organisation with a huge budget but no accountability. It has often been used by the ruling governments to further the political interests of the ruling party and harm the opposition. But it is clear from this report that people controlling the IB are now playing for the interests of the big private corporations like, Vedanta, Essar and targeting groups who have been opposed to naked loot of natural resources and mineral wealth of the country in the name of development," it said.

 

 "AAP condemns this dishonesty and vindictiveness of the security agencies and believes that such attempts needs to be nipped in its bud itself and NDA government should desist from promoting such mischief and rather focus on other important tasks on hand. People's movements and NGOs, considered critical of government policies, are necessary for a healthy democracy and peaceful society," the party said.

 

The IB report had reportedly claimed that claims that the NGOs and their international donors were planning to target several new economic development projects in the country.