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NHRC hears 50 pending State cases

By Staff reporter

GUWAHATI, May 28 � The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today heard 50 pending cases of human rights violations in Assam, at its camp sitting here.

Out of 17 cases, which the Full Commission bench heard, atleast six cases were closed after the Commission got satisfactory answers from the State Government authorities. In the other cases, the Commission has given time to the State authorities to respond to its recommendations. The Commission recommended about Rs 18 lakh as monetary relief in different cases of human rights violations, said a release of the NHRC.

In a case relating to rehabilitation of children rendered orphan or destitute in communal riots in upper Assam districts, the Commission has asked the State Government to identify the child victims without any further delay and give financial assistance to them and send compliance report along with proof of payment within eight weeks.

The Commission observed that the negligence of officer led to orphaned children not getting timely assistance despite the fact so many years have passed since the riots.

In the cases relating to forced prostitution of three women in Cachar district, the Commission has asked the State Government to pay rupees one lakh each to the three victims. The State Government has also been asked to inquire whether there is any organised activity going on in the State of Assam to bring girls from Meghalaya to Cachar and Silchar and forced them into prostitution. The authorities have been asked to take action against the guilty.

In another matter relating to starvation death in Cachar district, the Commission has asked the State Government to pay rupees two lakh each to the two tea garden workers and rupees one lakh each to about 13 dependents of the workers who died due to starvation. The Commission has also directed the State Government to inquire whether the Tea Association of India was distributing the foodgrains properly among the workers or not.

On the allegations of eviction of 6000 encroachers, the Commission was informed by the State authorities that the hutments were dismantled but not set on fire as alleged. The Commission has asked the authorities to expedite their rehabilitation.

On the issue of witch hunting, the State authorities admitted that this practice is prevalent in backward and distantly located places. During last five years, about 88 women and over 40 men have become victims of such incidents. The Commission has asked the State authorities to create awareness among people and strive for fast investigation and speedy trial in incidents of witch hunting to at the.

The Commission also heard encounter and in custody death cases in its two division Benches and asked the police authorities to scrupulously adhere to its guidelines and submit all the reports to the Commission timely for early disposal of such cases.

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