The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has directed the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha to inquire into attack on a farmer and an activist, besides the terror spread in Bhuban area by mining mafia in connivance with local leaders and police.
One Pitabas Tarai, a farmer, and Krushak Sangharsha Samiti district secretary Kalandi Charan Behera were attacked for resisting an illegal mining project.
Samiti convenor Debashisa Hota had filed complaints with the NHRC in both the cases as local police did not take appropriate action against the offenders.
Hota alleged that illegal mining work was underway in Damasal canal at Asurabandha in Bhuban tehsil where the district administration and police were supporting the work. The villagers were denied compensation. The protestors were attacked. The police, however, did not take any action against the perpetrators, but registered false case against the victims. He urged the Commission to intervene in the matter and stop the atrocities against the locals.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, the Commission called for a report in the matter from the DGP and the Chief Secretary.