SHRC seeks report on river locked villagers in Coastal Orissa

Kendrapada, Nov 03 (UNI) The Orissa State Human Rights Commission has directed Kendrapada District Magistrate Kashinath Sahu to conduct inquiry on the problems faced by the river-locked villages under Aul block.

The District Collector had been asked to personally visit Kalamada sasan, Padapala and Daitaripur village and discuss withthe river-locked villagers,who mostly depend on country rickety boats to communicate with the outer world.

The Commission also directed the authority to find a solution to their problem and submit the detailed inquiry report within four weeks.

Kalamada Sasan, Padanipala, Daitarypur under Aul block of Kendrapara district were situated in an island in the criss-cross of Kani and Kharosrota river.

As a result, about 10,000 villagers depend on the country boat the only source of communication to communicate with the outer world by ferrying the rivers.

Over thousand people, including school going children, had no option but to depend on the rickety boats everyday to ferry the river to reach their destination by risking their life.

Though the villagers had brought the matter before the district administration and local representatives but in vain.

Peeved at the apathy of the local administration nearly 300 locals, led by Rabindra Kumar Das, filed a petition before the State Human rights Commission on September 28 last urging the Commission to take steps.

The locals alleged that the district administration has violated the human rights act depriving them the basic amenities like health, education and communication.

The state Human Rights Commission had also directed the District Magistrate to submit the detailed report on the government sponsored projects implemented in the villages and those yet to be carried out.

UNI XC DP SJC DB1950