New Delhi, 27th December, 2012

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that police fired at tribal children, who were attending a Maoist camp, and killed a teenager, Chainu Mandawi, and arrested nine others on the 12th December, 2012. A few armed Maoist cadre present at the camp escaped and the police rounded up the children and sent them to a remand home.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise the serious issue of violation of human rights of the children.

Notices have been issued to the Chhattisgarh Chief Secretary and DGP calling for reports in the matter within four weeks.

Reportedly, around 240 policemen raided the day-long camp that was being attended by over 20 tribal children. The camp was being run close to the villages Sitram and Bala in Paralkot Reserve Forest area.

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