News Analysis India

Tag: NHRC

  • NHRC issues notice to UP govt over farmer’s ‘suicide’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Police and the chief secretary of the state over the ‘suicide’ of a 45-year-old farmer after police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter.

    The commission has sought a report on the matter from the police and the chief secretary within four weeks.

    It said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, according to which the man committed suicide after the police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.

    The victim reportedly belonged to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

    “The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within four weeks,” it said in a statement.

    The report should also include the present status of the matter and disbursement of the monetary relief to the victim under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995.

    The commission would also like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officer responsible for the tragedy, it added.

    According to the media report published on May 19, the girl was kidnapped by the accused persons when she was going to meet her father at a farm on May 9.

    Her father got a police complaint lodged the next day but the police, instead of registering an FIR, allegedly forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused.

    The police allegedly neither called nor informed the victim’s parents and closed the matter, according to the report.

    Upset over the developments, the girl’s father allegedly committed suicide on May 17.

    Also read: Drought caused by climate change linked to farmer suicides, says report

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh Police and the chief secretary of the state over the ‘suicide’ of a 45-year-old farmer after police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter.

    The commission has sought a report on the matter from the police and the chief secretary within four weeks.

    It said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report, according to which the man committed suicide after the police allegedly forced a compromise with the perpetrators of the kidnapping and rape of his minor daughter in Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The victim reportedly belonged to a Scheduled Caste (SC) community.

    “The commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a violation of human rights. Accordingly, it has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh, and the Director General of Police, Uttar Pradesh, calling for a detailed report within four weeks,” it said in a statement.

    The report should also include the present status of the matter and disbursement of the monetary relief to the victim under SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Rules, 1995.

    The commission would also like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officer responsible for the tragedy, it added.

    According to the media report published on May 19, the girl was kidnapped by the accused persons when she was going to meet her father at a farm on May 9.

    Her father got a police complaint lodged the next day but the police, instead of registering an FIR, allegedly forced a compromise between the survivor and the accused.

    The police allegedly neither called nor informed the victim’s parents and closed the matter, according to the report.

    Upset over the developments, the girl’s father allegedly committed suicide on May 17.

    Also read: Drought caused by climate change linked to farmer suicides, says report

  • NHRC issues notice to Bengal govt over 9 deaths in illegal firecracker factory blast

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the West Bengal government seeking a detailed report on the explosion in an illegal firecracker factory that left nine people dead and several others injured, an official said.

    The blast took place at Egra in Purba Medinipur district on May 16.

    There seems to be a violation of the human rights of the victims of the blast due to negligence on the part of the administration, the NHRC official told PTI.

    The notice was sent to West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi and Director General of Police Manoj Malviya seeking a detailed report on the matter within four weeks, he said.

    We would like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officers, responsible for the tragedy and how much compensation has been paid to the family members of those killed and injured,” the official said.

    Also read: Death toll in Bengal fire-cracker factory blast rises to 5, Mamata announces compensation

    Read more: Main accused person in East Medinipur factory explosion dies

    KOLKATA: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued a notice to the West Bengal government seeking a detailed report on the explosion in an illegal firecracker factory that left nine people dead and several others injured, an official said.

    The blast took place at Egra in Purba Medinipur district on May 16.

    There seems to be a violation of the human rights of the victims of the blast due to negligence on the part of the administration, the NHRC official told PTI.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The notice was sent to West Bengal Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi and Director General of Police Manoj Malviya seeking a detailed report on the matter within four weeks, he said.

    We would like to know about the action taken against the delinquent officers, responsible for the tragedy and how much compensation has been paid to the family members of those killed and injured,” the official said.

    Also read: Death toll in Bengal fire-cracker factory blast rises to 5, Mamata announces compensation

    Read more: Main accused person in East Medinipur factory explosion dies

  • Kota suicides: Human Rights body affirms need to ‘regulate private coaching institutes’

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Rajasthan government, the Union secretary of higher education, and the chairperson of the National Medical Commission over the alleged suicide by three students in Kota.

    The NHRC, in a statement on Wednesday, said it has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the students of a coaching centre allegedly committed suicide in two separate incidents within 12 hours.

    The commission also observed that there is a need to “regulate private coaching institutes.”

    The students were preparing for competitive exams and the incident has put the spotlight back on the punishing pressure that teenagers experience at private institutes in the city for limited seats in pursuing technical and medical education, it said.

    The Commission has observed that that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a “grave issue” of human rights.

    Over the years, Kota has become a hub of private coaching centres for the aspirants of the National Entrance Eligibility Test (NEET).

    “They are charging a very hefty amount. Students, from across the country, are staying in hostels/paying guest houses with a high expectation of success. This is putting them under a lot of pressure,” the statement said.

    The Commission said it feels that there is a need to formulate a regulatory mechanism and since the regulation of higher education is of the state subject, the need for evolving mechanism shall fall upon the state, in consultation with the central government.

    Accordingly, notices have been issued to the chief secretary, government of Rajasthan; secretary, higher Education, Union Ministry of Education, and the chairperson, the National Medical Commission, and reports sought, it added.

    The chief secretary is expected to submit a detailed report of the incident.

    It must also spell out the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the state about the regulatory mechanism to control the private coaching institutes in view of a large number of reported suicides of students, the NHRC said in the statement.

    In addition, it must also contain a formulation of a long-term plan to adequately address the issue of psychological and behavioural abnormality of the students undergoing coaching in different private institutes in Kota, by providing adequate counselling to them, including the parents, so that they should not feel lonely or under huge pressure of expectation of the family members and the friends, it added.

    The secretary, Ministry of Higher Education is expected to inform about the formulation of the National Action Plan of a proportional increase of the seats in technical education as well as medical education and also to evolve the mechanism to get rid of the rat race of getting admission in the private coaching centres to achieve success in competitive examination of JEE and NEET, the statement said.

    The chairperson, National Medical Commission is expected to inform about initiating some progressive and student-friendly mechanism to get success in NEET without being subjected to huge mental and psychological pressure, while undergoing coaching in private institutions, it said.

    According to the media report, carried on December 13, two of the deceased were from Bihar and the third one was from Madhya Pradesh.

    All three students were taking coaching classes for the NEET — the exam for medical colleges, the statement said.

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sent notices to the Rajasthan government, the Union secretary of higher education, and the chairperson of the National Medical Commission over the alleged suicide by three students in Kota.

    The NHRC, in a statement on Wednesday, said it has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the students of a coaching centre allegedly committed suicide in two separate incidents within 12 hours.

    The commission also observed that there is a need to “regulate private coaching institutes.”

    The students were preparing for competitive exams and the incident has put the spotlight back on the punishing pressure that teenagers experience at private institutes in the city for limited seats in pursuing technical and medical education, it said.

    The Commission has observed that that the contents of the media report, if true, amount to a “grave issue” of human rights.

    Over the years, Kota has become a hub of private coaching centres for the aspirants of the National Entrance Eligibility Test (NEET).

    “They are charging a very hefty amount. Students, from across the country, are staying in hostels/paying guest houses with a high expectation of success. This is putting them under a lot of pressure,” the statement said.

    The Commission said it feels that there is a need to formulate a regulatory mechanism and since the regulation of higher education is of the state subject, the need for evolving mechanism shall fall upon the state, in consultation with the central government.

    Accordingly, notices have been issued to the chief secretary, government of Rajasthan; secretary, higher Education, Union Ministry of Education, and the chairperson, the National Medical Commission, and reports sought, it added.

    The chief secretary is expected to submit a detailed report of the incident.

    It must also spell out the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the state about the regulatory mechanism to control the private coaching institutes in view of a large number of reported suicides of students, the NHRC said in the statement.

    In addition, it must also contain a formulation of a long-term plan to adequately address the issue of psychological and behavioural abnormality of the students undergoing coaching in different private institutes in Kota, by providing adequate counselling to them, including the parents, so that they should not feel lonely or under huge pressure of expectation of the family members and the friends, it added.

    The secretary, Ministry of Higher Education is expected to inform about the formulation of the National Action Plan of a proportional increase of the seats in technical education as well as medical education and also to evolve the mechanism to get rid of the rat race of getting admission in the private coaching centres to achieve success in competitive examination of JEE and NEET, the statement said.

    The chairperson, National Medical Commission is expected to inform about initiating some progressive and student-friendly mechanism to get success in NEET without being subjected to huge mental and psychological pressure, while undergoing coaching in private institutions, it said.

    According to the media report, carried on December 13, two of the deceased were from Bihar and the third one was from Madhya Pradesh.

    All three students were taking coaching classes for the NEET — the exam for medical colleges, the statement said.

  • Delay in hazardous waste disposal abuse of right to health of Bhopal gas tragedy survivors: NHRC chief

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Tonnes of hazardous waste is lying at the site of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and delay in its disposal contaminates groundwater and soil which is a “direct abuse” of the right to health of survivors and locals, NHRC chairperson justice Arun Kumar Mishra (retd) said Saturday.

    Addressing a Human Rights Day event here hosted by the National Human Rights Commission, he said that one outfall of globalisation is the concentration of wealth in transnational companies and a few countries.

    “For calamities caused by industrial disasters, transnational enterprises’ responsibilities have to be well defined,” the NHRC chief asserted.

    He cited the Bhopal gas tragedy which took place at a plant of a global company in Bhopal in 1984, considered one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. The multinational company, Union Carbide, faced global criticism following the tragedy.

    Mishra said, “Approximately 3,000 people died. Around 336 tonnes of hazardous waste is still lying on the premises. The property changed hands. Delay in the dispo.sal of such hazardous waste by a multinational company contaminates groundwater and soil and is a direct abuse of the right to health of the survivors and residents of the area,” he added

    NEW DELHI: Tonnes of hazardous waste is lying at the site of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy and delay in its disposal contaminates groundwater and soil which is a “direct abuse” of the right to health of survivors and locals, NHRC chairperson justice Arun Kumar Mishra (retd) said Saturday.

    Addressing a Human Rights Day event here hosted by the National Human Rights Commission, he said that one outfall of globalisation is the concentration of wealth in transnational companies and a few countries.

    “For calamities caused by industrial disasters, transnational enterprises’ responsibilities have to be well defined,” the NHRC chief asserted.

    He cited the Bhopal gas tragedy which took place at a plant of a global company in Bhopal in 1984, considered one of the world’s worst industrial disasters. The multinational company, Union Carbide, faced global criticism following the tragedy.

    Mishra said, “Approximately 3,000 people died. Around 336 tonnes of hazardous waste is still lying on the premises. The property changed hands. Delay in the dispo.sal of such hazardous waste by a multinational company contaminates groundwater and soil and is a direct abuse of the right to health of the survivors and residents of the area,” he added

  • Climate change, environment degradation emerging as major cause of human rights violations: NHRC

    Human Rights Day is celebrated globally on December 10 every year since 1950 in commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948.

  • NHRC to recommend criminal proceedings over deaths of persons involved in hazardous cleaning

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) India on Friday expressed concern over the deaths of persons involved in hazardous cleaning without protective gear. The Commission asked governments to implement the NHRC Advisory of September 2021, invigorate the local bodies and purchase mechanical cleaning devices like Bandicoots and safety equipment for those involved in such hazardous cleaning in septic tanks. 

    The Commission said it is high time public functionaries took note of the deaths of persons involved in hazardous cleaning or it will be constrained to recommend criminal proceedings against them.

    “The Commission futher said, “the officials cannot absolve themselves of their statutory responsibilities by diverting these to a contractor for cleaning septic tanks and sewage. It also said that government should identify the spots, where there is a danger of poisonous gas and install danger signals.” 

    A specific report has been called from the Government of Uttar Pradesh about the number of hospitals served notice for not complying with the guidelines for disposal of medical waste and the date-wise details of the action taken for revocation of the licenses of those flouting the norms.

    In its 3rd hearing of the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi in the matter of air pollution in Delhi NCR in the light of the reports submitted by them in response to its directions in the last meeting, the Commission sought further reports and fixed the next date of hearing for November 25, 2022.

    While noting some of the actions taken by the State governments with regard to controlling air pollution by managing stubble, dust, the hospital in sewage waste, among others, the Commission emphasized that they needed to have a strategic plan in place to plug the gaps between the policies and implementation thereof for providing clean air and atmosphere with better civic amenities ensuring the protection of the right to life and health of the citizens.

    The Commission said that, “Government of Punjab will have to have dedicated machines for poor farmers for harvesting and disposal of stubble. The machines should be procured and provided to the poor farmers through the panchayats or cooperatives free of cost for harvesting to bring down the incidents of stubble burning to zero. Some fees may be charged from those who could afford it.”

    The Commission asked for the specific details of stubble generated; how much was burnt and how much was processed effectively by specifying place-wise incidents. It also asked to find out the alternatives, if crop residue decomposer machines are not effectively working. 

    It was stated that the States need to purchase mechanized sweeping machines for every city in coordination with the civic bodies and make special provisions in the budget for the same. There should be a road map for providing civic amenities in a phased but time-bound manner. 

    It emphasized that tree plantation and their survival has to be monitored regularly to ensure green belt cover and clean air. A time frame of March, 2023 may fix to complete the work of unpaved roads and potholes.The Commission asked the Delhi government to fix a timeline to find out and rectify the cause of poor air quality at the hot spots and when these will become normal. The Commission also enquired about the status of alternative landfill sites for garbage disposal and cleaning thereof. In the meanwhile notices are also being issued to the concerned heads of NDMC, Transport Department, Delhi Jail Board, Police Department, Commission for Air Quality, GRAP, Delhi Cantonment Board, CPWD, NBCC, NHAI, DMRC, Central Pollution Control Board, DDA and NCDRC, Delhi Pollution Control Board for submitting their response before November 25 in connection with steps being taken or proposed to be taken to improve air quality in Delhi NCR to ensure safe health and ambient atmosphere for the citizens.

    NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) India on Friday expressed concern over the deaths of persons involved in hazardous cleaning without protective gear. The Commission asked governments to implement the NHRC Advisory of September 2021, invigorate the local bodies and purchase mechanical cleaning devices like Bandicoots and safety equipment for those involved in such hazardous cleaning in septic tanks. 

    The Commission said it is high time public functionaries took note of the deaths of persons involved in hazardous cleaning or it will be constrained to recommend criminal proceedings against them.

    “The Commission futher said, “the officials cannot absolve themselves of their statutory responsibilities by diverting these to a contractor for cleaning septic tanks and sewage. It also said that government should identify the spots, where there is a danger of poisonous gas and install danger signals.” 

    A specific report has been called from the Government of Uttar Pradesh about the number of hospitals served notice for not complying with the guidelines for disposal of medical waste and the date-wise details of the action taken for revocation of the licenses of those flouting the norms.

    In its 3rd hearing of the Chief Secretaries of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi in the matter of air pollution in Delhi NCR in the light of the reports submitted by them in response to its directions in the last meeting, the Commission sought further reports and fixed the next date of hearing for November 25, 2022.

    While noting some of the actions taken by the State governments with regard to controlling air pollution by managing stubble, dust, the hospital in sewage waste, among others, the Commission emphasized that they needed to have a strategic plan in place to plug the gaps between the policies and implementation thereof for providing clean air and atmosphere with better civic amenities ensuring the protection of the right to life and health of the citizens.

    The Commission said that, “Government of Punjab will have to have dedicated machines for poor farmers for harvesting and disposal of stubble. The machines should be procured and provided to the poor farmers through the panchayats or cooperatives free of cost for harvesting to bring down the incidents of stubble burning to zero. Some fees may be charged from those who could afford it.”

    The Commission asked for the specific details of stubble generated; how much was burnt and how much was processed effectively by specifying place-wise incidents. It also asked to find out the alternatives, if crop residue decomposer machines are not effectively working. 

    It was stated that the States need to purchase mechanized sweeping machines for every city in coordination with the civic bodies and make special provisions in the budget for the same. There should be a road map for providing civic amenities in a phased but time-bound manner. 

    It emphasized that tree plantation and their survival has to be monitored regularly to ensure green belt cover and clean air. A time frame of March, 2023 may fix to complete the work of unpaved roads and potholes.The Commission asked the Delhi government to fix a timeline to find out and rectify the cause of poor air quality at the hot spots and when these will become normal. The Commission also enquired about the status of alternative landfill sites for garbage disposal and cleaning thereof. In the meanwhile notices are also being issued to the concerned heads of NDMC, Transport Department, Delhi Jail Board, Police Department, Commission for Air Quality, GRAP, Delhi Cantonment Board, CPWD, NBCC, NHAI, DMRC, Central Pollution Control Board, DDA and NCDRC, Delhi Pollution Control Board for submitting their response before November 25 in connection with steps being taken or proposed to be taken to improve air quality in Delhi NCR to ensure safe health and ambient atmosphere for the citizens.

  • NHRC summons chief secretaries of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh over air pollution

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Alarmed over the rise in pollution in Delhi-NCR, the NHRC has asked the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to appear before it on November 10 to discuss the matter, an official statement said on Friday.

    The National Human Rights Commission said it is “not satisfied” with the actions taken so far to address the issue and that “much more” needs to be done to reduce pollution in Delhi.

    The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 426 (severe) at 9:30 am on Friday, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

    An AQI above 400 is considered ‘severe’ and can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing illnesses.

    The NHRC asked the chief secretaries to inform it within a week about the steps taken by their respective governments to stop stubble burning.

    “Their reports must also inform about the effect of smog towers and anti-smog guns. It should also have information on how many anti-smog guns are operational and what further steps the Delhi and other governments are taking in the near future. The report of Punjab and Haryana must also specifically inform about the effect of the scheme of in-situ management of crop residue,” the NHRC statement said.

    The commission said its directions follow a report and material on record received from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in response to a notice issued by it on June 22.

    It said it had issued the notice after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports alleging that air pollution is a great threat to human health in India and might reduce life expectancy for the people of Delhi.

    “The commission has noted the measures taken so far but observed that these are not enough to reduce the pollution level in Delhi-NCR. It is of the considered view that much more needs to be done to reduce the pollution level immediately,” the statement said.

    Despite several directions from time to time, “nothing much has improved”.

    One of the major causes of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region is stubble burning in the states surrounding it, it said.

    The NHRC further stated that “notwithstanding several directions of the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal and other authorities, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has not seen required improvement for a human-friendly environment, which cannot be allowed to remain so perpetually”.

    As many as 31 out of the 36 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded ‘severe’ AQI, the CPCB data at 9:10 am showed.

    Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 450 at 4 pm on Thursday, just a notch short of the ‘severe plus’ category.

    NEW DELHI: Alarmed over the rise in pollution in Delhi-NCR, the NHRC has asked the chief secretaries of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi to appear before it on November 10 to discuss the matter, an official statement said on Friday.

    The National Human Rights Commission said it is “not satisfied” with the actions taken so far to address the issue and that “much more” needs to be done to reduce pollution in Delhi.

    The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 426 (severe) at 9:30 am on Friday, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

    An AQI above 400 is considered ‘severe’ and can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing illnesses.

    The NHRC asked the chief secretaries to inform it within a week about the steps taken by their respective governments to stop stubble burning.

    “Their reports must also inform about the effect of smog towers and anti-smog guns. It should also have information on how many anti-smog guns are operational and what further steps the Delhi and other governments are taking in the near future. The report of Punjab and Haryana must also specifically inform about the effect of the scheme of in-situ management of crop residue,” the NHRC statement said.

    The commission said its directions follow a report and material on record received from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) in response to a notice issued by it on June 22.

    It said it had issued the notice after taking suo motu cognisance of media reports alleging that air pollution is a great threat to human health in India and might reduce life expectancy for the people of Delhi.

    “The commission has noted the measures taken so far but observed that these are not enough to reduce the pollution level in Delhi-NCR. It is of the considered view that much more needs to be done to reduce the pollution level immediately,” the statement said.

    Despite several directions from time to time, “nothing much has improved”.

    One of the major causes of air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region is stubble burning in the states surrounding it, it said.

    The NHRC further stated that “notwithstanding several directions of the Supreme Court, the National Green Tribunal and other authorities, the air quality in Delhi-NCR has not seen required improvement for a human-friendly environment, which cannot be allowed to remain so perpetually”.

    As many as 31 out of the 36 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded ‘severe’ AQI, the CPCB data at 9:10 am showed.

    Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 450 at 4 pm on Thursday, just a notch short of the ‘severe plus’ category.

  • NHRC seeks action taken report on pregnant teenager’s death in Odisha

    By PTI

    PHULBANI (Odisha): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served a notice on the collector and SP of Odisha’s Kandhamal district, seeking an action taken report on the death of an impregnated girl studying at a government-run residential school, a senior official said on Thursday.

    The incident took place in Rangaparu village in the Belghar area of Tumudibandha block.

    A girl, studying in class 7 of the state-run residential school for girls, was found pregnant during a formal health check-up in the hostel on September 24 this year.

    An FIR was registered by the school’s headmaster with the Belghar Police Station as per instructions from the district authorities.

    The student, aged around 13 years, was sent to a children’s correctional home at G Udayagiri as per an order of the Kandhamal District Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

    After some time, however, she experienced labour pain and was immediately taken to a local community health centre, where she delivered a stillborn baby and within a few hours, died under mysterious circumstances, said Simanchal Behera, District Welfare Officer and monitoring official of residential schools run under the tribal development department.

    The incident has sparked massive outrage.

    Opposition BJP and Congress, besides members of the civil society, have hit the streets in protest against the incident and staged demonstrations in front of the district collectorate, demanding stringent action against those found guilty.

    PHULBANI (Odisha): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served a notice on the collector and SP of Odisha’s Kandhamal district, seeking an action taken report on the death of an impregnated girl studying at a government-run residential school, a senior official said on Thursday.

    The incident took place in Rangaparu village in the Belghar area of Tumudibandha block.

    A girl, studying in class 7 of the state-run residential school for girls, was found pregnant during a formal health check-up in the hostel on September 24 this year.

    An FIR was registered by the school’s headmaster with the Belghar Police Station as per instructions from the district authorities.

    The student, aged around 13 years, was sent to a children’s correctional home at G Udayagiri as per an order of the Kandhamal District Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

    After some time, however, she experienced labour pain and was immediately taken to a local community health centre, where she delivered a stillborn baby and within a few hours, died under mysterious circumstances, said Simanchal Behera, District Welfare Officer and monitoring official of residential schools run under the tribal development department.

    The incident has sparked massive outrage.

    Opposition BJP and Congress, besides members of the civil society, have hit the streets in protest against the incident and staged demonstrations in front of the district collectorate, demanding stringent action against those found guilty.

  • Caste system remains greatest enemy, Meira Kumar on Rajasthan incident

    By IANS

    NEW DELHI: After a Dalit boy was beaten to death in a Rajasthan school for drinking water from a pitcher belonging to an upper caste teacher, former Speaker Meira Kumar said a century ago her father was subjected to the same treatment but his life was saved.

    Kumar’s father Jagjivan Ram was the Deputy Prime Minister of India.

    “100 years ago my father Babu Jagjivan Ram was prohibited from drinking water in school from the pitcher meant for Savarna Hindus. It was a miracle his life was saved,” she tweeted.

    “Today, a nine-year-old #Dalit boy has been killed for the same reason. 75 long years after Independence, caste system remains our greatest enemy,” she said.

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of the third standard student of Sarasvati Vidyalaya in Rajasthan’s Jalore district, who was thrashed by the headmaster of the school. He later died during the course of treatment at a hospital in Ahmedabad.

    The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report in the matter.

    NEW DELHI: After a Dalit boy was beaten to death in a Rajasthan school for drinking water from a pitcher belonging to an upper caste teacher, former Speaker Meira Kumar said a century ago her father was subjected to the same treatment but his life was saved.

    Kumar’s father Jagjivan Ram was the Deputy Prime Minister of India.

    “100 years ago my father Babu Jagjivan Ram was prohibited from drinking water in school from the pitcher meant for Savarna Hindus. It was a miracle his life was saved,” she tweeted.

    “Today, a nine-year-old #Dalit boy has been killed for the same reason. 75 long years after Independence, caste system remains our greatest enemy,” she said.

    The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of the death of the third standard student of Sarasvati Vidyalaya in Rajasthan’s Jalore district, who was thrashed by the headmaster of the school. He later died during the course of treatment at a hospital in Ahmedabad.

    The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report in the matter.

  • NHRC notice to Uttar Pradesh government, DGP over torture of woman at police station

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The NHRC has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state’s police chief over reports that a woman was subjected to “extreme torture” by allegedly stripping and brutally beating her with a belt at a police station in Lalitpur district, the rights panel said on Saturday.

    The police officer and his family have not only “misused their position” but also subjected the victim to physical torture and cruelty, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) observed.

    The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report that the police personnel of Mehrauli police station “subjected a woman to extreme torture by stripping her and brutally beating with a belt in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh.

    Reportedly, she was working as a domestic help at the residence of a police officer,” it said in a statement.

    The Commission has issued notices to the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary and the DGP, Uttar Pradesh seeking a detailed report within four weeks, including action against the responsible police officer and any relief granted the victim by the authorities, it said.

    The Commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human right to the victim.

    According to the media report, carried on May 6, the wife of the police officer locked the victim at her home on the evening of May 2.

    Her husband, a police official, came along with a woman Inspector and started interrogating her about a theft in the house.

    Besides beating her brutally, they also subjected her to water cannon and electric shocks to force her to admit the allegations, the statement said.

    Later, sensing that the matter may snowball into a controversy, she was called to the Mehrauli police station where the police personnel tried to project the matter as a dispute with her husband and also initiated action against him for disturbing peace, it added.