NHRC notice to Bihar officials on lathicharge incident

New Delhi, Aug 23 (UNI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today directed Bihar Chief Secretary and Collector of Saharsa district to submit a factual report within four weeks on the lathicharge on flood victims, while they were seeking for relief in Sonbarsa early this month.

The NHRC issued the directions to the officials after taking suo motu notice of a report in the 'Indian Express' dated August 13.

The report said that one person was killed and at least 12 were injured when police lathicharged flood victims when they were seeking relief materials in Sonbarsa in Saharsa. The State Government has suspended the Block Divisional Officer Prabhakar Singh, holding him responsible for the incident.

The Commission said the press report should be forwarded to the concerned officials for submitting a factual report within four weeks.

The Commission also took suo motu cognisance of a report in the 'Assam Tribune' (dated August 11) which said tea workers' families were forced into bonded labour in Arunachal Pradesh. It said 15 families of tea workers had been deceitfully taken to Ranglua where they were being kept as bonded labourers. It also said minors were being forced to work and many of them were suffering from various diseases including malnutrition.

The Commission has sent notice to the Chief Secretary, Arunachal Pradesh, calling for a factual report within four weeks.

UNI