The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notice to the Chief Secretary and Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada district Collectors over the issue of lack of rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced poor villagers for decades in the Indravati Hydro-Electric Project.
The direction of the commission came after rights campaigner Radhakanta Tripathy moved the NHRC highlighting plight of the affected people.
"Over 15,000 families including, ST, dalit, poor farmers, backward caste were displaced in Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts due to the Indravati Hydro-Electric Project. No action was taken by the State Government to ensure basic human rights to these poor displaced villagers. Between July and November, 2016, 20 tribals have been killed in unknown disease in Talangi panchayat. As the villages are surrounded by rivers and there is only one boat ferrying person from the village to the mainland, it has been difficult for the villagers to come out of the villages for primary health care, ration, old age pension, handicapped pension," the petitioner contended.
He requested the NHRC to call a detailed report from the State authorities and deputes its Special Rapporteur to study the situation and formulate appropriate recommendations for Central and State Governments to follow. Considering the petition the NHRC issued notices to Chief Secretary and Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Korapurt district Collectors seeking reports within 15 days.