Taking cognisance of a complaint from the residents of Lagacharla village of Vikarabad district in Telangana, alleging police harassment, physical abuse, and false criminal charges, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of the Southern State, calling for a detailed report in the matter within two weeks.
In a statement issued here, the commission has observed that the contents of the complaint, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights, which is indeed a matter of concern. The report is expected to include the status of the FIRs, persons in judicial custody and the villagers who, out of fear, are allegedly hiding in the forest areas without basic amenities. Citing media reports, the NHRC said that these actions allegedly occurred after the villagers protested the state's land acquisition for a proposed "Pharma Village" without following proper procedures. Most of the victims of the alleged atrocities claim to be from the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Communities. The complaint has been submitted by at least 12 victims who visited the Commission praying for its intervention to save them from starvation in the matter.
