By Ssangeeta Sharma
New Delhi, Dec 17 (LAB) NHRC Chairperson, Mr. Justice Arun Mishra said that we are focusing on the human rights issues of the elderly, women, children, disabled, trans-genders, mental, health and silicosis. The Chairperson stated that since Man is the best creation of God and has been provided with the sense to think about the protection of human rights of the people which includes Right to Food, Health, Education, better environment and so our focus is that no one is deprived of that and all human beings are treated alike.
Speaking at the two-day open hearing and camp in Gauhati, Justice Mishra said Mostly human rights violations occur when the government machinery fails to perform its duties.
Justice Mishra emphasized that it is the duty of the State Governments to adopt mechanisms to reform the society. He said that NHRC has come a long way in its journey for making all efforts to protect and promote human rights in the country for the common masses, especially poor, under-privileged and backward classes
Mr. Bimbadhar Pradhan, Secretary General, NHRC informed that the NHRC is extensively using the HRC Net Portal for facilitation of submission of requisite reports sought by the Commission in various cases registered with it.
While highlighting the State specific issues, Mr Pradhan emphasized the need for Action Taken Reports from all the five North-Eastern State Governments on 23 Advisories issued by the Commission to them. It will help us to assess how the State Government are sensitive towards the protection and promotion of the human rights of its citizens, he said.
Mr Pradhan informed that NHRC had 42 open hearing/camp sittings so far. Through such camp sittings, the victims of human rights violation are given justice at their door steps in terms of monetary compensation also.
Mr. Jishnu Barua, Chief Secretary, Government of Assam assured NHRC Chairperson that all the North-Eastern states will abide by the advice, directions and recommendations of the NHRC, especially in the field of mental health, right to food and various Advisories issued by the Commission and its speedy implementation. He also stated that during the last few months, the State Government has taken number of important decision with regard to release of pension to disabled persons, widow and elderly persons. Effective steps were also taken in respect of various social security schemes of the Government of India with regard to water, education, health, roads, etc.
The National Human Rights Commission has taken up 40 cases, in Open Hearing. It includes 23 cases of Assam, 13 cases of Manipur, 1 cases of Arunachal Pradesh and 3 cases of Nagaland. The Commission on consideration of reports, and after hearing both the parties has closed five cases where recommendations of compensation have been complied by the States.
The Commission has recommended a compensation of Rs.3,00,000/- to be paid to the NoK in case of death in police custody in district Tinsukia, Assam. The Commission has also recommended an amount of Rs.3,00,000/- in case of an encounter death in district Changlang of Arunachal Pradesh. The Commission has also recommended an amount of Rs.5,00,000/- in case of death in police custody in Imphal (East) district of Manipur. Further, the Commission has recommended an amount of Rs.4.5 lakhs to be paid to the NoK of the deceased in case of death in custody in Mon district of Nagaland. The Commission while dealing with the case of an employee, who became handicapped at work-place and his service was terminated by the employer in Guwahati, Assam, the Commission has directed that alternative arrangements, as per the Disability Act, be made for his reinstatement to the service and further directed for payment of arrears of his wages. The Commission, while dealing with a case of rape of a Tribal women by a GRP personnel of Chachar district of Assam, has asked the State authorities for payment of Rs.5,00,000/- to the victim. The State authorities have submitted that both the delinquent police personnel have been dismissed from service. In rest of the case, including compliance cases, the Commission has asked for compliance report with proof of payment and requested for submission of Action Taken Report in such matters from the State authorities for further consideration of the cases.
A meeting of the Commission with Chief Secretaries, DGs of Police & their representatives, and other Senior Officers of all the five States, was also held in the afternoon on December 16, 2021, where healthy & fruitful deliberations were held for coordinated efforts by all for protection and promotion of human rights of the citizens in a more effective manner.
The Commission also held a discussion with NGOs / HRDs and members of the Civil Society in which they raised various issues of human rights relating to healthcare, women, elderly, children, implementation of welfare and developmental schemes of the Central as well as State governments.
They also raised issues of infrastructure of Rehabilitation Homes, drug abuse. The Commission reiterated that the NGOs are actually eyes and ear of the Commission and they are true partners of the Commission in spreading awareness regarding promotion and protection of human rights. The Commission appreciated their work and assured all possible help to them in this endeavour/ LAB, SNG