Expressing serious displeasure over the lackadaisical attitude of the the Bhadrak district Collector in doing the needful and submission of requisite report on the protection and promotion of Rakta Tirtha in Eram, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in its recent order has warned of coercive action against him.
Issuing the warning notice on a petition filed by activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC sought the requisite report within four weeks.
In 2014 the NHRC had asked the Odisha Chief Secretary to submit an ATR over the issue. Since then the issue is making rounds in the bureaucratic juggernauts.
Observing the fact that Tripathy, had filed the petition in 2014, six years back, for the protection and promotion of Rakta Tirtha, Eram, which is considered as the second Jalianwala Bagh, where 29 persons were killed and 56 injured by the British Forces on September 28, 1942, the NHRC expressed ire over the delaying attitude of the Bhadrak administration seriously.
Tripathy also sought, social welfare schemes like house with toilets under Awas Yojana, food under NFSA, other benefits to the eligible members of the family of the martyrs and freedom fighters of Rakta Tirtha.
Despite several reminders, no report was received from the Collector. Keeping in view the matter is nearly six years old and relates to the martyrs and freedom fighters families and their well being and overall development of Eram, the NHRC directed the Collector to submit requisite report within four weeks positively or the commission would be constrained to invoke coercive process under Section-13 of the Protection of Human Rights, Act, 1993.
Recently, Bhadrak MP Manjulata Mandal, raised the issue during the monsoon session of the Parliament.
She demanded Eram be given the tag of a 'national tourist' spot.