The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) expressed its concern over violation of human rights in UP which leads to delay in registration of FIRs, non-registration of FIRs in cases involving atrocities on Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes in violation of Section 4 of the Act.
Besides, it also showed its concern over issues of arsenic poisoning in some districts, death due to Japanese Encephalitis, manual scavenging, lack of disposal and compensation in cases of electrocution deaths and denial of basic amenities, including ration cards, houses, drinking water and power.
The NHRC, which concluded its three-day ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ in lucknow on Friday, however said that the UP government has assured it of taking steps for looking into the grievances raised by NGOs for assuring better protection of human rights of the citizens.
Justice (Retd) P C Ghosh, who led the NHRC team, said that on the first day 171 cases were heard while the full bench heard 16 cases and the division bench took up 67 cases on the second day. He said during the hearing, the Commision ordered payment of over Rs 2.45 crore as compensation to victims or their families and in all cases, the government has accepted the orders.
On the last day, on Friday, the Commission held discussion with NGOs where they raised a gamut of issues involving human rights violation like destitute/disabled women and children on road, mentally sick persons on road, denial of admission to children on ground of disability, non-provision of medical examination of children below 18 years of abuse, deaths while sewage cleaning, non-payment of salary to manual scavengers and several other issues.
later, NHRC members met Chief Secretary, DGP and other officials and interacted with the media.
In the ‘Open Hearing’ on the complaints of atrocities against SC /ST members, the Commission took up 171 cases which were heard by Justices P C Ghosh, D Murugesan, S C Sinha and Jyotika Kalra. Altogether, 42 cases were closed after consideration of reports.
In six cases, the Commission issued notices to the UP government on account of delay in registration of FIRs. In some cases, monetary relief of Rs 2,47,500 admissible under SC/ST (Protection of Atrocities) Act was paid after intervention by the Commission. In other casesfurther reports or comments of the complainants on reports sent by the Government authorities have been asked for.
On Thursday, the Commission took up 16 important cases that included cases of missing children, deaths in jail, delay in registration of FIRs, denial of treatment to mentally ill patients from Uttarakhand in the mental hospitals in UP. In five cases, monetary relief of Rs 21 lakhs was recommended.
A total of 25 cases were closed on receipt of proof of payment of Rs 93,00,000 to the next of kin of deceased persons. In 15 cases, sanction of monetary relief amounting to Rs. 64,50,000 was received. Seven cases were closed in the light of assurance given by Home Secretary for prompt payment. In other cases, further reports were asked for.
Earlier, inaugurating the three-day ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ on the August 9, NHRC Member Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh emphasised that human rights were not static in nature and a change in mindset was required for amelioration of the sufferings of people.