Yaswant Sonawane killing: Students express their anguish

MYSORE: Yaswant Sonawane, the additional district collector of Nashik district in Maharashtra, was burnt to death for exposing oil adulteration mafia. If the country is shocked, students are anguished. They want to know how can a common man dare to report a crime when this is the fate of a gazetted officer.
Here is what they feel
The incident shows that honest workers will have to face problems like this, whatever cadre they might be in.Such incidents create fear among people. It is the duty of the government to give protection to such honest officers, who actually dedicate their lives for welfare of the country.
-- Manoj Kumar, student, University of Mysore (UOM), department of studies in geography:
If a class I officer can be killed while on duty for being honest and dedicated, how can a common man even think of approaching the police to complain against crimes? The members of the mafia who have committed the heinous crime should be identified and punished, however influential they might be.
-- Jayaram, department of studies in history
The mafia members are committing such crimes only because they enjoy strong support of politicians. Hence, most of the officials today are even scared to check on serious crimes and mafia that are rampant in India. It is a shame to the country.
-- Shivraj, MBA student, ICFAI
Oil mafia is a major issue in the country today. Many a time, we ourselves get cheated with adulterated petrol in the bunks. However, none dares to complain for they fear being in danger. And it is quite natural for people to feel so. When our own politicians are so corrupt and support such incidents, we can expect nothing better. The situation will remain so as long as the system doesn't change.
-- Anil Kumar, student, diploma in mechanical, D Banumaiah Polytechnic College
It is a shocking incident. An IAS officer being burnt alive in public and that too while on duty is a real shame to India. If it has happened in Maharashtra today, it can happen in Karnataka tomorrow. If our leaders, officials and the public keep mum about this today, we will probably end up seeing people being burnt alive openly every other day. Hope the culprits are identified and rightly punished, before incidents like this turn out to become common in the country.
-- Poornachandra Tejaswi, ex-student, National Institute of Engineering