Eight labourers vote under police protection

On the directions of the National Human Rights Commission, Odisha government today provided police protection to eight voters belonging to scheduled caste families of rescued bonded labourers, as they cast their vote at Birakesharipur village in Puri district today.
The eight persons belonging to three families were ousted from their village and were living on footpaths, battling for their rights to live in their village.
They wanted to exercise their right to vote but were not feeling safe to go to the electoral booth in their village.
On the basis of a complaint given to it yesterday, the Commission registered the case and took up the matter expeditiously with the special Secretary (Home) and superintendent of police, Puri to ensure that they get police protection and are able to excercise their franchise.

"The complainant, Baghambar Pattnaik, a member of the NHRC's core group of NGOs confirmed that the labourers had cast their vote in police protection," the Commission said.