NHRC holding three-day Camp Sitting in Bihar

New Delhi, May 17 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is holding three-day camp sittings in Patna from today during which both Full Commission and Single Bench sittings will hear cases on human rights violations, including custodial death and police torture.

NHRC spokesperson said the Commission had earlier passed on the list of cases to be taken up during the sittings to the State authorities.

A total of 44 cases will be taken up during the Full Commission sittings, to be held on May 18 and 19.

The Single-Bench Sittings have been spread out on all the three days. During this, at least 263 cases are likely to be taken up, the spokesperson said.

The cases which will figure during the sittings include custodial death, police torture, assault by police, firing by police, illegal detention, encounter, death of undertrials, false implication and death due to negligence by police authorities.

On May 19, 2007 the Commission will also hold a review meeting with the State authorities. Various recommendations and concerns expressed by the NHRC, especially on economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights, will be discussed at the meeting. The status of Juvenile Justice Act, child labour, bonded labour, condition of prisons and issues related to right to health in Bihar will also figure during the Commission's meeting with the senior officials of the State.

Status of the preventing and combating trafficking of women and children and eradication of Manual Scavenging will also be taken up.

After the three-day Camp Sittings, on May 20, NHRC will hold a meeting of the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police from the States of Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal.

The meeting will take stock of the status on implementation of Juvenile Justice Act in the four States. Status of preventing and combating trafficking of women and children bonded labour, child labour, prison conditions, status of denotified and nomadic tribes and right to food will also figure during detailed discussions with the state officials.

The Commission will also discuss draft recommendations of the meeting on "Eradication of Manual Scavenging" held here in March and the status of Manual Scavenging in these States.

UNI