The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Sambalpur district Collector to provide financial relief to a dalit family which faced atrocity at the hands of fellow villagers at Jayaghanta village under the Dhama police station.
The apex human rights body issued the direction after getting an action taken report (ATR) from the district SP on June 11 last.Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy had filed a petition with the Commission over the plight of the victim who has been living under threat and starvation.
Her family has also been ostracised by the villagers, whereas the local administration and the State Government has failed to address the plight of the unfortunate victim and her family.
According to reports, the poor lady was forcibly stripped, her head tonsured and beaten black and blue by the villagers on September 6, 2012. Afterwards, when she fell ill, she was not provided proper treatment. She has been suffering from illness since then. And now as if all that was not enough, she is being threatened of dire consequences, if she seeks intervention of police or higher authorities in the case. That’s why she along with her son, a class V student and her daughter, who is also a minor, has left the village and taken shelter at her elder daughter’s house.
Her minor children are not provided proper education and are leading a miserable life. In the meantime, house of the victim has been demolished by some miscreants, activist Tripathy alleged.
The NHRC had issued notices to the SP and District Collector of Sambalpur to file ATR in the case. In response, the SP of Sambalpur had sent a detailed report dated June 11 last. Admitting that the victim family was subjected to exploitation and torture, the SP said an FIR was filed against as many as 18 accused persons in the case on September 6, 2012 at Dhama police station. Ten of them were arrested and the rest eight surrendered before a court.
He said that the victim was admitted by the police in the VSS Medical College, Burla for proper treatment after the heinous torture. Her house, made of mud, was demolished. She was not willing to return to her village since all the villagers were against her.
He said that the victim is presently staying at Dhanupali in a rented house along with her husband who is working as a mason. The victim’s two children, including Ajali Buda, have been admitted in Jamadar Pali Ashram School for education. The Collector of Sambalpur has been informed for taking steps for grant of compensation to the victim under various welfare schemes of the Government. The case is pending trial before the court, the SP told.
The NHRC, considering the facts and circumstances, has directed the Sambalpur Collector to see if any monetary relief could be provided to the victim lady and her family members.