NHRC to take up hearing in Chittoor firing, Tel encounter

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) would take up hearing tomorrow in the killing of 20 people in police firing in Seshachalam forest of Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district and also the killing of alleged terror suspects in Telangana.
The two incidents are listed to be taken up for hearing tomorrow by the Full Commission of the NHRC which began a three-day 'Camp Sitting' in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana here today.
The NHRC has taken suo motu cognisance of the two incidents.
The commission had on April 7 issued a notice to AP government seeking a report on the killing of 20 people in police firing near Tirupati, observing that the incident "involved a serious violation" of human rights of individuals.

The NHRC issued a notice on April 9 to Telangana government seeking a report on the killing of five undertrials, who were allegedly associated with radical groups in Nalgonda district, while being taken in a police van to a Hyderabad court.
Meanwhile, speaking at the inaugural function of the 'Camp Sitting', NHRC Chairperson K G Balakrishnan said that about 98,660 complaints from various states were received by the commsission in 2014.

Noting that the commission has held similar hearings in different states like Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, he said the problems of the people are better understood when they visit the states.

The commission is aware that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are dealing with issues related to bifurcation, but the rights of the people cannot wait for lack of infrastructure, he said.
"We are interested, especially, in those who are at the periphery of the society, whose voice is not heard. They are the marginal sections of the society. So, we are concerned with the rights of those people. Rich people can take care of their rights. But, what about the poor people?" he said.
Observing that the NHRC is a "recommendatory body," he said the governments and government servants need to ensure that rights of the people are protected.