Kolkata: A 46-year-old animal rights activist from Harisabha area in Behala has lodged a complaint of harassment, online defamation and physical stalking against a neighbour, who allegedly enjoys political clout. The neighbour, she said, did a Facebook Live, saying she received “cut money” of Rs 3.5 lakh through the local former Trinamool councillor to feed and sterilise stray dogs in the Behala area.The matter reportedly did not stop at virtual harassment. The woman and her husband, a govt employee, said they feared attacks as they were continuously being followed by persons on bikes, unidentified people were keeping a constant “watch” on their home and one of their employees was attacked on Wednesday.An FIR has been registered at the Parnasree Police Station.The woman said trouble started on June 2, days after a dispute over feeding of strays at Pathakpara last month. The Facebook Live was done on June 1. “From June 3, I have been swamped with online trolling and threats,” she claimed. “I have been taking care of neighbourhood dogs since 2017-18. At present, I feed 102 dogs. I have sterilised around 300 strays. It is being said that I take Rs 3.5 lakh every year for these services from the earlier govt and that I believed in threat culture.” Pointing out that she had been living in fear, the woman claimed a targeted, misinformation campaign was launched against her.According to the complaint, the neighbour published a misleading and provocative video on her Facebook profile, standing near the police station, accusing her of exploiting political and social influence. The accused claimed the woman was making financial profits under the guise of feeding strays, calling the initiative a waste of money. The posts attempted to politicise the animal welfare efforts by questioning her direct access to local councillors.The woman said ever since the video was circulated, unidentified persons on a motorcycle had been stalking and tracking her movements at night while she fed strays. She said such intimidation was also disruptive in her animal welfare work. Even a neighbour claimed that the development had led to the stopping of sterilisation and saline drive for dogs in the area.Police said they had started an inquiry, focusing on both the cyber defamation and the physical security threat complaints.
