Centre cancels FCRA registration of NGO named Centre for Financial Accountability
New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has cancelled the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA), an NGO that monitors and critically analyses the role of financial institutions and their impact on development, human rights, and the environment.
In a recent report, CFA highlighted the environmental hazards and increased health risks associated with additional projects sanctioned in a Special Economic Zone operated by the Adani Group in the Kutch region of Gujarat. The report warned of further environmental pollution and ecological degradation in the area.
Joe Athialy, Executive Director of CFA, told The Hindu that they had not yet received official orders cancelling the FCRA registration of CACIM (India Institute for Critical Action Centre in Movement), CFA's parent entity, but were informed online. Athialy suggested that the stated reason for the cancellation—incorrect financial filings for 2018 and 2019—was a pretext to suppress their critical work.
“We have been told that the cancellation is due to incorrect filings [of returns] for financial years 2018 and 2019. This may be just an excuse, as they had all the years to ask us to rectify the mistakes. We certainly believe that the work we did has contributed to this action,” Athialy said.
Athialy added that the government appears intent on silencing organizations critical of its actions but emphasized that CFA would continue its work through innovative methods, including domestic donations.
Earlier in January, the MHA cancelled the FCRA registration of the Centre for Policy Research (CPR), a prominent public policy research institution in New Delhi. Since 2015, more than 16,000 NGOs have had their FCRA registrations cancelled for various violations. As of Wednesday, there were 15,946 active FCRA-registered NGOs in India. The registrations of nearly 6,000 NGOs ceased to operate from January 1, 2022, due to non-renewal or refusal by the MHA.
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21 held for 'involvement' in violence during protest march in Manipur
Imphal (PTI): At least 21 people were arrested for their alleged involvement in violence during a rally in Manipur's Imphal West district two days ago, police said on Monday.
During the violence on April 18, vehicles of security personnel were pelted with stones, petrol bombs hurled, leaving three personnel injured, a senior officer said.
"Twenty-one people have been arrested in connection with the mob violence," he said.
The torch rally was organised in protest against a recent bomb attack in which two children were killed.
"On Saturday, a torch rally was taken out along Imphal Jiribam road, organised by various CSOs (civil society organisations) from Patsoi to Sagolband, during which the mob became violent and resorted to stone pelting, hurling petrol bombs, use of catapults, and boulders on police personnel, resulting in multiple injuries," the police said in a statement.
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During the incident, the vehicles of security forces were vandalised, and three personnel of the 232 Battalion CRPF sustained grievous injuries, it said.
The police also arrested a 23-year-old person for allegedly making provocative statements on social media and inciting violence, another statement said.
"One person of Imphal East has been arrested in connection with the case. He is a member of Arambai Tenggol (AT)," the police said, adding the investigation is underway.
The police also warned that strict action will be taken against anyone attempting to incite violence or disrupt communal harmony.
Thousands of people hit the streets at various places in Manipur valley districts on Sunday evening, protesting against the recent bomb attack in which two children were killed.
Night rallies were organised at Koirengei and Hatta Golpati in Imphal East and Kakching and Mayai Lambi in Imphal West district.
The protesters reportedly clashed with security personnel at Uripok in Imphal West, Khabam Lamkhai and Koirengei in Imphal East and at Kakching town.
The security forces used tear gas shells to disperse the agitators at several places in these districts, police said.
