NHRC seeks reports from Bhadrak Collector
Acting on a petition filed by rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC sought a report from the Bhadrak Collector within four weeks over one Gouramani Swain, a shelter-less destitute old woman of Eram, the place famous for martyrdom during Indian freedom struggle, holding legs of local MlA and Environment and Forests Minister Bijayashree Routray for help.
According to the petitioner, Swain had approached the local administration and the local elected representatives for help. Since her grievance was not heard she went to meet the Minister in the presence of other officials and the sarpanch where she held the legs of the Minister for help. The Minister and other officials assured her help that never reached her so far.
“The victim is a destitute old woman having no family to support her while the local people out of their own generosity feed her once a while.
This is a matter of begging for the old lady. She sleeps under the open sky. Even though she approached the Government machinery and the media reported the plight of this helpless woman, the Government has not been acting over the issue. The woman has been denied welfare schemes of the Government and has been starving. Negligence of the district administration in ensuring her the basic amenities available under various Government schemes shall result in starvation death of this poor, shelter less, helpless old lady,” Radhakanta alleged herself, the volunteers of the area.
He urged the Commission to act over the issue immediately, besides directing the Government to investigate the case and ensure food and shelter to the victim.
“The second Jalianawalagagh of India where martyrs sacrificed their lives to see a caring India has been witnessing the apathy of elected representative and the administration is a sorry state of affairs,” said Bhadrak Freedom Fighters’ Association president Ramahari Goswami.