The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action-taken report (ATR) from the Chief Secretary over the State Government’s failure in ensuring the human rights of limb-lost child labourers within four weeks.
Seeking immediate intervention of the NHRC Supreme Court lawyer and rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy alleged in his petition that two child labourers from Kalahandi have lost their limbs and have been struggling for their lives without the State support. The petitioner alleged that Arjun Majhi of Goepita village in lanji panchayat and Nilambar Mangaraj of Siddhipadar panchayat of lanjigarh block of Kalahandi district of the State, both below 18 years have lost their limbs while working as bonded child labourers in Kerala. While Arjun has lost his hand Nilambar lost his leg in the employment.
“Odisha Government fails to check migration of child labour and situation of bonded labour in the district. The loss of hand and leg of two children amounts to gross violation of human rights,” Radhakanta alleged.
He requested the NHRC to investigate the case and assess the plight of these unfortunate children and direct the State to act over the issue on a war footing and ensure the basic human rights of these children who are also deprived of education and other child rights.