NHRC summons Chief Secretary, Chhatisgarh, IG, Bastar

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New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the outcry and protest against IG, Bastar,  S R P Kalluri, for registering an FIR at Tongpal police station on November  5, 2016,  against Delhi University Professor Archana Prasad, JNU Prof Nandini Sundar, Vineet Tiwari, Sanjay Parate of CPIM) and Manju Kawasi for offences of murder, criminal trespass, conspiracy and for offences under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.  It has been alleged that Prof Prasad and Prof Nandini Sundar and other associate professors were being threatened with arrest by Bastar Police in connection with the FIR.

The reports in press and media over last week have alleged that Chhattisgarh Police has named Prof. Nandini Sundar and ten others as accused in the murder of a tribal Samnath Baghel in Sukma District on November 4, 2016.  It is reported that he was killed by Maoists as he had been leading a campaign against Maoists activities since April, 2016.  It has been alleged that these professors had visited Bastar in May, 2016, while this murder has taken place in November, 2016.  There is no apparent connection between murder and visit of these human rights activists and, therefore, it has been alleged that they have been framed in malafide manner by police to settle scores. It has been stated that FIR has been registered in the name of the wife of slain Baghel, according an NHRC release.

The Commission has also taken judicial notice of petition filed by Prof Nandini Sundar recently in the Supreme Court  against atrocities by Bastar police against tribals by burning of their homes.  The Supreme Court ordered investigation by CBI.  The CBI found SRP Kalluri, IG, Bastar, responsible for the burning of homes.

The NHRC on consideration of the whole situation  in Chhattisgarh over more than a year views the action of registration of FIR against Prof. Nandini Sundar and others as an act in line with earlier acts of hostility displayed by police, NHRC release said. Though, the NHRC is aware of the direction of the Supreme Court given on November 15, 2016,directing issue of notice of four weeks before their arrest, yet the acts on the part of police stand on independent footing for the commission to intervene. It is the duty and function of the commission to see that the faith of the people in the police is not eroded and society is governed by rule of law, te NHRC release said.

The NHRC is deeply disturbed by the state of affairs in Chhattisgarh over last one year or more and is of the view that the Chief Secretary,  Chhattisgarh, IG, Bastar, S RP Kalluri, should appear in person before it November 30, 2016 ,at 11 am with all reports to explain the allegations made against the police and administration in the media and by human rights defenders, NHRC release said.