The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked for an action-taken report (ATR) from the Odisha State Human Rights Commission (OSHRC) in connection with the eviction of some tribal people from a forestland in Angul district.
The NHRC passed the order taking cognisance of a petition filed by civil society organisation Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain.
In her petition, Swain alleged that victims Babuli Sahoo, Chakradhar Sahoo, Nirakara Sahoo, Bidhan Behera, Maheswara Sethy, Bauri Sethy, Tanaka Dhara Sahoo, Sridhara Sahoo, Gulap Sethy, Lipun Garnaik, Siba Dalei along with other 50
villagers and their families of Saanda, Bankuli, Hensala, Magarmana, Jaganathpur
villages under the Khamar police station in Angul district were illegally evicted from the forest land and severely tortured by the police and administrative authorities under political influence.
Interestingly some victim villagers also availed houses under the Indira Awas scheme on the same forest land along with the electricity and water connection. Swain alleged that this is violation of human rights and prayed the
commission to take criminal action against the responsible police and administrative officials liable for the illegal eviction of the victims and their family.
She requested for compensation of Rs Rs.10 lakhs to be paid to the victims, provide land according to the Forest Rights Act and protect them from the rowdy police and administrative officials immediately.