Here is a shocker. Odisha has emerged as only the number two in human rights violations in the country after Uttar Pradesh in 2015-16.
And with more shockers like Gumudumaha to Nagada that topped further by the episodic political violence triggered between ruling BJD and Opposition, the worrisome surge seen holding on to the rhythm even in the current year (2016-17) when in the first quarter itself the NHRC has registered around 1,492 violations, which is higher than the average violations per quarter recorded in 2015-16.
For the first time in the State’s history, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) was seen registering a whopping 16,278 rights violation cases in 2015-16, up by around 178 per cent vis-a-vs 2014-15. The number clocked by Odisha is numerically 2nd after UP’s nearly 50,000 violations. Even, Delhi and Haryana trailed behind Odisha in 2015-16.
Odisha was also number two in the country where the NHRC has recommended monetary relief for the victims in 2015-16 and 2016-17 (till June-end). The growing enormity of such violations couldn’t be missed when in 2015-16 the NHRC had asked for around Rs32 lakh relief; the amount, however, has already touched Rs 26 lakh by June-end only in 2016-17.
And the culprit is the State administration as at least in around 70 per cent of the cases the State administration was the accused. And police and doctors mostly stood in the dock.
The charges are: illegal detention and torture against cops, denial of proper treatment to patients against doctors and denial of bed to even patients with grave disease conditions against hospital staff.
A year-wise analysis shows over two-thirds of rights violations were registered against the State police. And doctors come a close second to the cops in the State. Such a high number of cases of rights violation registered against the police hints at the poor transparency in investigation of cases by police.
Human rights organisations blame the State Government solely as they allege lack of effective emphasis on rights-based governance coupled with a high degree of politicisation of police force igniting such a quantum jump in the flagrant violations of rights in Odisha. Rights activists further allege about police not following the standard operating procedures and guidelines while arresting individuals, especially in tribal districts.
Data further suggest that injustices on ‘fair sex’ in the State by the State machinery register a significant number as it totals to around one-fourth of the total cases registered in both the NHRC and the SHRC (State Human Rights Commission). Cases pertaining to caste discrimination in Odisha also share a significant number in total rights violations. And bonded labour and violation of labour rights together constitute another over 5-8 per cent of total rights violation cases, suggest the combined data.