National Human Rights Commission is 'satisfied' with Gujarat government's work

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday said it was satisfied with the work of the state government in protecting human rights. The Commission made the remarks after hearing 155 cases during open hearings and camp sitting at Karai Police Academy over last 2 days.

"By and large we are satisfied with their (state government's) work. They are doing their best. There are certain areas where they can do better, and we have brought these to their attention," NHRC chairman justice (retd) HL Dattu, told reporters.

Human rights violations are not that many in the state, and the government does step in when needed, he said further. The NHRC chief said that they were satisfied on the basis of the cases that had come before them during the course of the open hea-rings,and the responses they received from senior government officials.

However, when journalists brought it to his attention, Dattu admitted that he was not aware of the Thangadh killings and other cases of atrocities against Dalits. He also expressed surprise when told about vacancies in the State Human Rights Commission, and that even its report was not tabled in the Assembly. Over the course of the two days, the Commission, also comprising PC Ghose, D Murugesan and Jyotika Kalra, heard 155 cases.

"On Thursday, 136 cases were considered by the four benches. Of these, 63 cases were closed after consideration of the reports and satisfactory resolution of the issues raised. In 40 cases, further reports were called for, and in five other cases, the state government informed about sanction of relief," NHRC said in a release.

On Friday, 19 cases, including those related to Silicosis deaths, death of infants in Ahmedabad civil hospital, killing of tribals in Sabarkantha, construction of a bridge for school going children in Junagadh, among others, were considered during the sitting of the Full Commission, the release said.

According to the Commission, it announced monetary relief in some of the cases. Relief and rehabilitation of an 11-year-old rape victim, ex-gratia relief for family of a woman who had died due to doctor's negligence in Banaskantha, were among the cases taken up. In two cases about Dalits not being given land, the government had assured that the land would be allotted at the earliest.

In another complaint regarding absence of a bridge, because of which children of Kaneri village of Junagadh had to swim across a river to reach school, the administration announced that the bridge would be completed within three months.

"We also received complaints regarding pollution of river, construction by builders in Ahmedabad in violation of laws, among others," said Dattu.

NHRC also received complaints related to preventing Dalits from entering temples, availing barber facilities, taking out marriage processions, etc. During their meeting with the Commission, NGOs and human rights defenders alleged untouchability and caste based atrocities in 75% of the villages, and reluctance of police to registered cases pertaining to such issues.

WHAT NHRC SAYS

• NHRC member Jyotika Kalra said she had instructed the state government to stop manual scavenging and to undertake mechanical scavenging.
   
• The Commission said the state govt has submitted to it a report in relation to the death of several infants in Ahmedabad civil hospital within three days in October.