NHRC notice to AP officials on Vishakhapatnam tribals

New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission has sent notices to Andhra Pradesh's Health, Medical and Family Welfare Secretary and Panchayati Raj and Rural Water Supply Principal Secretary, seeking factual report on the condition of tribals in Vishakhapatnam.

Taking suo motu cognizance of a news report telecast on a Telugu channel, the Commission said if the contents of the item are true it raises a serious issue of violation of human rights of citizens, especially the tribals.

According to the December 11 news report, the tribals living in the villages of Hakeerpet Mandal are suffering from a peculiar fever that has led to the death of about 100 people in the age group of 14 to 40.

''Several others are still suffering from the fever,'' it added.

The report said no medical help is available as these villages are far from the main town.

''There are no doctors or medical facilities available in hospitals. The villages do not have access to water and when brought from 5 to 10 kms away, the water is not drinkable,'' it added.

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