NHRC directs Tiruvallur Collector to remove encroachments

National Human Rights Commission has directed the Tiruvallur District Collector to ensure removal of encroachments in the catchment area of Red Hills in Ponneri and directed him to submit a report within eight weeks.
NHRC's direction came on a complaint seeking its intervention in the matter of alleged human rights violations as 11 persons died in a wall collapse in the district in July last.
In a release, the commission said it has asked the Tiruvallur District Collector "to take steps by issuing necessary orders to the revenue officials to take action for removal of encroachments and contructions, if any, in the catchment area of Red Hills lake in Ponneri Taluk..".

According to the complainants 'a lot of godowns' were constructed in the concerned area without the approval of the local planning authority, violating the Wet Land Conservation and Management Rules, 2010, the release said.
It said that the Commission found that the victims or their next of kin were duly compensated and action for criminal proceedings against the erring business establishments taken by the state government.
"But the construction of the compound wall was illegal since no permission could be granted for construction on Odai Poramboke land. This illegal compound wall obstructed the flow of water to Reservoir. Had it not been so, the tragedy could have been averted," it said.

Further, the Collector's report was 'silent' about the action taken against the officials who had failed to prevent encroachment of government land.

NHRC Member Justice D Murugesan had observed that protection of water bodies was the primary responsibility of the Government.
The release said he recalled a 2005 judgement of the Madras High Court that when the land is classified as 'Odai Poramboke' in revenue records, specific steps should be taken to study encroachments on wetlands and steps required to improve the water storage facilities.
"He further observed that though the District Collector, Tiruvallur has reported that directions have been given to the revenue officers to remove encroachments on the land, it is high time that the District Administration takes steps to remove all such encroachments," it said.