K'taka CS may be asked to appear before NHRC

Bangalore, Mar 14 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission will call for an explanation from the Karnataka Chief Secretary on the State's failure to implement its direction with regard to payment of compensation to the victims of atrocities perpetrated by the Special Task Force (STF), formed to nab forest brigand Veerappan.

''The Karnataka Chief Secretary may be summoned to appear before the Commission and explain the reasons for not implementing the direction,'' NHRC Chairman Dr Justice Shivraj V Patil told newspersons here today.

He said that on January 15, 2007, Karnataka had deposed before the Commission that Rs five crore had been set apart for paying compensation and the State was directed to complete the process within eight weeks. ''The time given has ended on March 12, but today I received complaints about non-payment. Immediately after returning to Delhi, I will call for the papers and I may summon the Karnataka Chief Secretary to explain,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the victims staged a dharna in front of Mahatma Gandhi Statue in the city and submitted a memorandum to the NHRC Chairman.

UNI