NHRC orders inquiry into charges of police brutality on youth

The NHRC has asked its Director General (Investigation) to depute a senior female officer for an on the spot inquiry into the allegations of police brutality against youth, including girl students, who were protesting in Kolkata on March 9, the panel said on Tuesday.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) ordered the probe after taking cognizance of an allegation from the All India Democratic Women's Association.

The Association had alleged that four girl students were allegedly stripped and searched at Alipore Women Reformatory following a protest by the SFI and DYFI against the irregularities and corruption in the appointments of primary school teachers in West Bengal.

The NHRC gave two days to the West Bengal Director General to submit a report.

The Commission said in a media release that the allegations, if true, reveal a sad state of affairs and amount to gross violation of human rights.

"Allegedly, many youth, including girl students were brutally beaten by the police. Some of them had to be hospitalised.

"Four girl students were arrested, locked up in the police station and remanded to magisterial custody till 14th March, 2017.

"They were taken to the jail at Alipore Women Reformatory where, they were, allegedly, stripped and searched in a highly objectionable manner by the women police personnel. They were subjected to filthiest sexist abuses. The girls are under deep trauma by this horrific experience," the Commission said.

--IANS

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