The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued conditional summons to the State Government after its failure to submit action-taken report (ATR) on the plight of 40 leprosy patients in Dipal Nagar, Kukudakhandi in Ganjam district.
The Commission passed the order while acting over a petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy.
About 40 leprosy patients are staying in Dipal nagar, about 2km away from Kukudakhandi area. For instances Sashi Patra (70) and another elderly woman Rebati Nayak have lost all hope in life. Almost all the patients have been begging for survival.
The only dressing room has remained defunct as there is no doctor or pharmacist appointed. The rooms where these poor unfortunate victims stay have been running in dilapidated condition, the petitioner alleged.
According to the petitioner, initially about 200 inhabitants were staying Dipal nagar but due to the immense pain and plights the patients have been dying without any State assistance. They are denied safe drinking water and have not been included under PDS.
Therefore welfare schemes are beyond reach for these unfortunate people. Negligence of the State to take care of these poor people has been the main cause behind their human rights violation, Radhakanta alleged.
He requested the commission to send the Special Rapporteur to visit the spot to assess the situation and submit a detailed report, besides urging the commission to direct the State to immediately ensure proper medical treatment to these patients free of cost and continue the same at appropriate intervals.
The commission has decided to hear the case at its camp sitting to be held at Bhubaneswar in October.