NAHARLAGUN, May 25:  The National Human Rights Commission today held a one day open hearing and camp setting at Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre, Indira Gandhi Park, Itanagar.

The Commission considered 57 matters in three bench sittings during the open hearing. The matters considered included issues such as atrocities on SC/ST, healthcare, dilapidated conditions of roads, non implementation of the Right to Education Act, lack of basic amenities for villagers at Indo-China border, increase in suicide cases and lack of mental healthcare centers, scarcity of drinking water in Debing village in East Siang district, conditions in jails including overcrowding, healthcare and denial of facilities and implementation of Central Government flagship programmes.
The Commission expressed its concern on the delay in submission of the various reports in general and in particular in matters pertaining to death in custody. It also criticized the state government over its lackadaisical attitude toward various case related to the violation of Human Rights.

In one such case, NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary to provide Rs 5000 each to the 88 minor students who were stripped by their teachers in a residential school in Papumpare district. Commission also sought report within four weeks on the death of an infant in Community Health Center, Namsai due to medical negligence.

The Commission recommended monetary relief of Rs, 14.40 lakh in two cases of prima-facie violation of human rights and in one case of death in police custody to which the State government assured to implement the recommendations made earlier by the Commission for payment of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin. The State Government also assured to direct authorities to submit District –wise details of implementation of the Right to Education Act and issue circulars to the authorities including private schools for such implementations. 
In three cases the Commission issued Show Cause Notices to the State Government for award of monetary compensation of Rs. 4.5 lakh. Four cases were closed upon receipt of the reports submitted taken on record for further consideration/ examination by the Commission.

The single benches sittings were followed by an interaction with the NGOs and Human Rights defenders who raised many important issues including lack of basic infrastructural facilities in remote districts, waters crises in districts, improper implementation of the PDS scheme, lack of internal facility and non functioning of Common service centers, the need for upgradation of FSL laboratories, increase in budget for proper health care and medicines for the population and the absence of specialists in various disciplines for proper health care. The issues of Rights of indigenous people, non supply of nutritious food at village level through Anganwadi Centers and lack of toilets in districts and villages were raised.

An important issue which was also raised was heavy bombing by Indian Air Force in Kamle district adversely affecting public life, pollution and education of children.

Earlier, Chief Secretary, Satya Gopal, while attending the inaugural ceremony of Open hearing on various issues relating to atrocities and problems faced by ST/SC stated that Human Rights is the foundation stone for society while emphasizing that Arunachal Pradesh is predominantly a Scheduled Tribe State, with 26 tribes and over 80% tribal population, the State cherish to nurture and protect communal harmony with no atrocities on scheduled tribes.

While focusing on the initiatives taken by the state, Gopal mentioned that there are Legal Service Authorities in 20 districts, two Juvenile Justice Board, two Human Rights Courts and passage of State Human Rights Commission Act for better protection of Human Rights.

‘There are no cases of bonded labour and there is special focus on education and implementation of flagships programmes,’ he added.

Secretary General, NHRC Ambuj Sharma, in his address emphasized upon the need of human rights for civilized development and also expressed that the camp setting provides an interaction at grassroot level for consideration of wide spectrum of views and issues pertaining to the different sections of society. He further highlighted the initiatives taken by the commission for encouraging the state to show case good practice and bringing human rights at the door step of common man.

The Chairperson NHRC, HL Dattu, mentioned that the camp setting and open hearing is a mechanism to monitor and review significant issues of human rights, create public awareness and provide a voice to the marginalized sections besides action against the perpetrators.

Deliberation on human rights issues provided an effective platform to all stakeholders and provides a way for collective protection of human rights. The need for proper implementation of flagship programmes and focus on Human Trafficking, Gender Sensitization, Human Rights education for all were also mentioned as vital ingredients for human right protection.
The commission also interacted with media persons and other senior officers of the state 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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