ACHR approaches NHRC about Budhia Singh incident

New Delhi, May 3 (UNI) The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to intervene against ''endangering'' the life of four-year-old Budhia Singh, alleging that he was ''induced'' to run for 65 km yesterday.

It also requested NHRC to order an inquiry into the entire incident in Orissa yesterday and constitute a team of medical experts to examine the possible damage done to Budhia's health and growth.

''It is an act done so rashly or negligently to endanger human life or the personal safety of others as defined under Section 336 of the IPC,'' ACHR Director Suhas Chakma said.

The ACHR urged the NHRC to direct the Orissa government to register an FIR against Orissa Sports Minister Debashis Nayak, MP Archana Nayak, Additional Director General of CRPF B S Gill, Police Chief of Puri Sanjeev Panda, Coach Biranchi Das and other 50 CRPF Jawans who ran the marathon with Budhia.

''Unless interventions are made by NHRC against acts of avocations unsuited for the tender age of children as provided by the Constitution improvised children in India will be induced to undertake such unsuited avocations,'' Ms Chakma said.

Budhia yesterday logged 65 km from the holy city of Puri to the temple city of Bhubaneswar in seven hours two minutes to earn a place in the Limca Book of Records.

Braving scorching heat, Budhia was to cover 70 km from the Jagannath Temple in Puri to the CRPF Group centre here but was stopped just a few kms away from the reception venue as the accompanying doctor noticed that he was exhausted.

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