The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) to take necessary steps on the issue of illegal blasting of hills resulting in loss of human lives. Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain recently moved the apex human rights watchdog appealing to it to ensure stopping of illegal blasting of hills by using explosives.
The petitioner alleged that on February 14 while one Chandrakant Samantray died on the spot and another Birat Biswal was seriously injured in illegal blasting at Hadia hill in Tapanga area in Khordha district. Considering the gravity of the case, the NHRC asked the OHRC to take necessary steps in this regard. The petitioner also has urged the commission to take criminal action against the person concerned, besides ensuring a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the kin of the deceased and rs 10 lkah to the injured people, respectively.