Chhattisgarh jail official defends Facebook post on rights violations in Bastar

Chhattisgarh jail official Varsha Dongre who was suspended for an “objectionable” Facebook post that talked of rights violations and rapes in Maoist hotbed Bastar has defended her action in another post.

Updated on: May 10, 2017, 20:16:23 IST

Hindustan Times, Raipur | By Ritesh Mishra

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A Chhattisgarh woman jail official suspended last Saturday for an “objectionable” Facebook post that spoke of rights violations and rapes in Maoist hotbed Bastar has defended her action in another post.

Varsha Dongre stated in Tuesday’s Facebook post she had said nothing “unconstitutional” in the earlier one and would fight her suspension in a constitutional way. (REUTERS Representative Photo)

Suspended assistant jail superintendent Varsha Dongre’s Facebook post on Tuesday is likely to earn her the displeasure of seniors who had asked her to explain her earlier post, which she has since deleted.

The post which led to her suspension was put up after the Sukma Maoist attack on April 24 in which 25 CRPF troopers were killed. Dongre’s post urged officials to “introspect” on the situation in Bastar, while citing instances of rights violations she had seen during her posting in the region.

Dongre, a Dalit, stated in Tuesday’s Facebook post she had said nothing “unconstitutional” in the earlier one and would fight her suspension in a constitutional way.

She expressed surprise that her first Facebook post was regarded as spreading wrong and misleading facts in media. She also claimed she was suspended without being given a chance to reply.

Dongre has given authorities the explanation sought and it runs into 376 pages. She has attached various government reports and judicial decisions which note state police atrocities in Bastar.

Dongre’s combative second Facebook post has annoyed senior officials.

“I heard she alleged in her Facebook post that she was not given enough time. It is not true. She has again posted something on Facebook even after warning and inquiry, and again committed the same mistake. We will look into the issue and take strict action,” said Girdhari Nayak, director general (Jail).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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