The Odisha Human Rights Commission (OHRC) has directed the Malkangiri district Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) to conduct an inquiry into the allegation of Maoists’ torture on the inhabitants of Andrapalli and Panasput panchayat in the district.
The OHRC direction came after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) transferred a petition to this effect filed by Human Rights Watch secretary Sangita Swain asking it for disposal in accordance with the law.
The petitioner alleged that 115 tribal people of several villages in Andrapalli and Panasput panchayat have been leaving their villages due to torture meted out to them by the Maoists.
“The Maoists are threatening the villagers of dire consequences if they raise voice against them. The ultras even are setting the houses of the poor tribals on fire suspecting them to be police informers. The act of the Maoists amounts violation of human rights and needs urgent attention of the State authorities,” the petitioner contended.
The commission has directed the two top district officials to comply with its orders within six weeks and posted the next hearing on November 25.