Taking a serious note of the non-responsive attitude of SC, ST Development Commissioner-cum-Secretary, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has warned him of coercive action.
The apex rights body has issued a reminder to the Secretary for submitting the required report within four weeks positively regarding the death of a Class-III student, an inmate of Anchala Sevashram in Koraput.
The warning was issued by the NHRC while hearing a petition filed by rights campaigner Subash Mohapatra, who has sought the rights body’s intervention in the death of Master Mana Halwa, a tribal student. The child was ill for four days, but the authorities did not provide any medical treatment to him resulting in his death.
Dissatisfied over the Koraput district SP’s report, the commission had asked the SC, ST Development Commissioner-cum-Secretary for a detailed report. However, no response has been received despite several reminders.
Concerned over the dilatory tactics, the NHRC issued a reminder to him to submit the required report within four weeks positively. It also warned that upon the failure of the compliance, it would be constrained to issue coercive process under Section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
Mohapatra lamented the authorities’ whitewash approach. “It is unfortunate that the NHRC was not inspired by the SP’s report, to which he was asked for a fresh inquiry, but no action has been taken. The department which is meant for the welfare scheduled tribes does not make response. It is self-explanatory and exposes the State’s behaviour towards the tribal communities, Mohapatra remarked.
He further said that though there is a Student Welfare Fund in the State,
the kin of the deceased have not been provided any compensation.