NHRC concerned over human rights violation in Jharkhand

Speed Post News Network

Ranchi: The two-day Camp Sitting and Open Hearing of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) concluded at Ranchi, Jharkhand, on Thursday. In his inaugural address, NHRC Chairperson Justice H L Dattu expressed concern over human rights violation, oppression and discrimination of Scheduled castes and Scheduled tribes in Jharkhand. The commitment of the Commission for promotion and protection of human rights of these vulnerable citizens of the country was emphasized.

In her address, Jharkhand chief secretary Raj Bala Verma assured about compliance of the recommendations made by the Commission and the state’s commitment for amelioration of the cause of the vulnerable section, according to an NHRC release.

On the opening day, 15 cases were taken up in the sitting of Full Commission presided over by NHRC Chairperson Justice Dattu and comprising members Justice  Cyriac Joseph, Justice D Murugesan and Shri S. C. Sinha. Six cases were finally disposed of including two cases in which recommendations of the Commission for payment of monetary relief of Rs 9,00,000 were complied with.

In the case of contamination of drinking water due to fluoride and arsenic content in the water, the Commission directed the Jharkhand government to submit a districtwise status report regarding drinking water condition and its action plan within three months.  In a case of death due to silicosis, while rejecting the contention of the state governments that ESIC is responsible for payment of compensation, the Commission has asked the state to pay the compensation to the victim as per its recommendation. In the case of illegal mining, the Commission called for a status report from the Jharkhand government within three months, said the NHRC release. The Commission also issued a notice to the Chairman–cum-Managing Director of Coal India Ltd asking it to submit a report in the matter.

During the Open Hearing, three single benches presided over by Justice Cyriac Joseph, Justice DMurugesan and  S C Sinha took up  69 cases pertaining to grievances of the persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, according to NHRC release. Out of the 69 cases, 27 cases were finally disposed of.  In a number of cases, the complainants/victims were provided relief following intervention of the Commission, which include sanctioning of widow pension and old age pension, restoration of possession of land to the allottees etc. In a case of non-registration of FIR by police, the Commission has recommended payment of compensation of Rs. 50,000 to the victim.