The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from DGP Prakash Mishra over the arrest of agitating farmers in the city. Acting on a complaint of human rights activist Akhand, the commission has issued direction to the DGP to submit its report within four weeks in the matter.
The petitioner has alleged before the commission that at least 26 members of the Navnirman Krushak Sangathan (NKS), a farmer’s organisation, were arrested here on December 24 for agitating in front of the Chief Minister’s car near the State Secretariat.
In the complaint, Akhand stated the Sangathan had been demanding bonus of Rs500 over each quintal of paddy being sold by the farmers and monetary compensation of Rs2000 per month to each family of farmers in the Phailin affected zones till the next harvest season without any delay.
More than 50 farmers sat in dharna in front of the State Assembly for 16 days, but the State Government didn’t give attention towards their demands, he added.
In order to draw the Government’s attention, around 30 activists of the NKS displayed national flags and staged demonstration by laying on the Sachivalaya Marg here, completely blocking the movement of the Chief Minister’s carcade.
Surprisingly, Akhand said, the Commissionerate Police has slapped section 307 of the IPC against arrested farmers, who were protesting peacefully. Police wants to suppress the ongoing agitation of farmers illegally, he alleged.
Akhand prayed for a compensation of Rs50,000 to each farmer who were illegally arrested by the police and withdrawal of fake case against innocent farmers.
