The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked for a report from the Balangir Superintendent of Police within four weeks on death of a headmaster of a school in mob violence.
The rights panel passed this order after hearing a petition filed by civil society organisation Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain on September 30.
Swain in her petition alleged that Ghunusar Upper Primary School Headmaster Anugraha Nanda died on September 29 in an attack by some people of Ghunusar village.
She said around 50 children had fallen ill on September 24 after taking de-worming tablets in the school premises. They were rushed to local hospital for treatment. Furious over the matter, the villagers ransacked the school and allegedly attacked the Headmaster. He was later admitted to a hospital at Cuttack where he succumbed.
She further alleged that police and concerned authorities did not take any action . “Even the police did not register a case filed by deceased’s family members against the villagers for attacking Nanda.
Swain prayed the NHRC to take action against the authorities and order a compensation of Rs 20 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.