NHRC Issues Notice To Odisha Chief Secy, DGP Over 'Atrocities' Against 2 Dalit Men

NHRC Issues Notice To Odisha Chief Secy, DGP Over ‘Atrocities’ Against 2 Dalit Men

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to Chief Secretary and DGP of Odisha in connection with the alleged torture of two persons, belonging to the Scheduled Caste, on suspicion of illegal cattle smuggling in Ganjam district.

Taking suo motu cognisance of a media report over the incident, the rights panel noted that, if true, the incident raises grave concerns about human rights violations. “…were beaten up, forced to eat grass and drink drain water, on suspicion of illegally smuggling cattle by some people belonging to another community, in Ganjam district of Odisha, on June 26. Reportedly, their mobile phones were snatched and their heads were also forcibly tonsured,” it said.

The Odisha government has been asked to submit a detailed report in two weeks. “The report is expected to include the action taken against the perpetrators and compensation, if any, provided to the victims,” it added.

Police have so far arrested 12 people, including the prime accused 20-year-old Rajesh Samal of Jahada village, in connection with the incident.

According to the FIR, a mob intercepted Bulu Nayak (52) and Babul Nayak (43) of Singipur at Kharigumma under Dharakote police limits when they were transporting a cow and two calves to their village on a cargo auto-rickshaw as part of dowry arrangement of a family’s marriage ceremony. Accusing them of transporting the cattle illegally, the group snatched their mobile phones and cash and demanded Rs 30,000 to release the animals. When the men expressed their inability to pay, the miscreants tied their limbs, thrashed them, partially shaved their heads at a local salon, forced them to crawl for nearly two km to Jahada village with grass clamped between their teeth and had them drink sewage water.