It is absolutely incomprehensible that whistle-blowers can be identified this way. While the authorities have every right to investigate and establish the merit of the complaint, the complainant needs to be safe and anonymity is the way one can guarantee that. The whistle-blower culture in fact, has to be nurtured and preserved to unearth corruption in various spheres.

Today, there is great stress on ordinary citizens getting involved with the system, becoming stakeholders in various issues as varied as climate change, or even transforming a neighbourhood. If they are compromised while trying to do so, then all that talk about citizen involvement is only lip service.

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This also sets an ugly and negative precedent, which will make people stay away from all problems for fear of getting attacked. Those responsible need to foster a sense of reassurance and trust, so that people pinpoint certain wrongdoings. Here, in fact, we have the exact opposite. It is disappointing and frustrating, to say the least. This is why there is a trust deficit between people, the police and various corporations. This has once again widened that.