NHRC to take up Muzaffarnagar communal riots issue

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) would take up the issue of Muzaffarnagar communal riots during its ‘camp sitting’ slated in Lucknow this week.

A NHRC team headed by its chairperson Justice K G Balakrishnan would camp in the Uttar Pradesh capital during January 15-17 to hear over 90 cases.

The delegation would also comprise Justice Cyriac Joseph, Justice D Murugesan and Members, Director General (Investigation) Satyabrata Pal and S C Sinha.

Two NHRC teams had visited relief camps housing the victims of communal violence in Muzaffarnagar. The teams had submitted their reports, which would be discussed during the interaction of NHRC delegation with senior UP officials.

The Commission would hold discussions with the state chief secretary, DGP, DMs, SPs and other senior officials on issues raised by NGOs on the living conditions in relief camps set up for the victims in Muzaffarnagar and Shamli, medical facilities, protection from winter; deaths in camps and relief given to bereaved families.

Meanwhile, the Commission had also sent teams to Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, Chandauli, Jaunpur and Lakhimpur Khiri districts to monitor the implementation of flagship programmes of central and state governments.

The aim of camp sitting is to dispose of pending cases concerning a particular state by hearing senior government officials; sensitise them over human rights and compliance of NHRC recommendations; meet local NGOs to get feedback on ground situation.

Other important issues to be taken up by NHRC would include, non-registration of FIR by police, jail reforms, condition of juvenile homes and access of public to government hospitals.

Justice Balakrishnan would brief media on camp sitting and action taken by NHRC for protection, promotion and wider dissemination of information on human rights.