NHRC gives Rs 2.8 cr interim relief to 89 STF torture victims

New Delhi, Jan 15 (UNI) In a landmark order, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today announced interim relief of Rs 2.80 crore for 89 victims of atrocities, including women, by the joint Special Task Force during operations against slain forest brigand Veerappan and said proceedings will be initiated to identify guilty officials.

''The STF no doubt is guilty. The victims will be paid the amount of Rs 2.80 crore which will be divided among them. The cases pertained to repeated rape of women, killing of innocent people, illegal detention, torture and disappearance,'' NHRC acting chairperson Shivraj V Patil told a news conference.

The special task force was formed jointly by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, where the brigand used to operate.

Justice Patil said the Governments of both the states will pay within four weeks the money to the people living in their states.

''We have recommended to pay the relief immediately but four weeks is the time-frame it can be paid in.... These people have already been waiting for a long time. Any further delay should be avoided,'' he pointed out.

''The percentage of people in each state is almost 50-50. To ensure that the victims do not face any difficulties in getting the monetary assistance, we have recommended this mechanism.'' About the action against the guilty police officials, the NHRC chairperson said the Commission will soon start proceedings against them.

''So far the Commission only focussed on the victims.... Now we will start the proceedings of identifying the guilty and the subsequent action... We did not want the relief to be delayed any further, which would have been had we waited for that report,'' he added.

Asserting that the guilty will be brought to book, Justice Patil said the Commission will examine ''this aspect very thoroughly'' and ''the guilty officials will not be allowed to go scotfree.'' On June 18, 1999, the Commission had ordered setting up of a two-member inquiry panel, headed by retired Karnataka High Court Justice A Sadasiva, to look into the allegations of human rights violations by the STF. The other member of the panel was former CBI director C V Narasimhan.

It recorded statements of 243 people, including 38 police officials.

The panel submitted its report on December 1, 2003, and the relief is being awarded on the basis of its recommendations.

Justice Patil said the delay in announcing the relief was caused as the Commission had sent recommendations to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka Governments.

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