Post News Network
Kendrapara, Oct 25: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the state rights body to act upon a case of violation of human rights of people, who were agitating against large scale illegalities and fraud committed in the Sarathi Ashram in August.
The apex rights panel passed the order following two separate petitions filed by human rights activist Radhakanta Tripathy in August.
Tripathy brought to the notice of NHRC that law and order had broken down in Kendrapara town as police started beating protestors August 6 and 7 of this year.
Police lathi-charged protestors, who had blocked the road at Tinimuhani square demanding immediate action against the self-proclaimed godman.
Even a couple of media persons were injured in the incident. Police even did not spare those who had raised their hands above shoulders as a sign of surrender.
Then SP Satish Kumar Gajbhiye was a silent spectator as his men went on berserk.
Police arrested Kendrapara district BJP president Duryodhan Sahu, a former office-bearer of the Kendrapara Bar Association, who was forced to do sit-ups at the Tinimuhani square.
The religious institutions prevention of misuse Act, 1988 was not used by the state government, the rights body noted.
State government officials sat silently to witness the growth of the empire of the so-called Baba until public anger spilled over.
The Baba was given government and pasture land which needs to be thoroughly investigated, Tripathy contended.
The failure of the government to protect common men from cheating and the police brutalities on lawyers, activists, journalists and students amounted to serious violation of human rights, Tripathy alleged.
He requested the NHRC to have the case probed by the special rapporteur and direct the Chief Secretary and DGP to immediately release all those picked up by police.
Besides he urged the apex body to ensure medical treatment to the injured, to keep vigilance over all self-proclaimed godmen and pay adequate compensations to the victims of police brutalities.
Acting on the petition, the NHRC recently transferred the complaints to the State Human Rights Commission u/s 13(6) of the Protection of Human Rights Act. 1993, as amended by the Protection of Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2006, for disposal of the case in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
