Commission looks into complaints of human rights violations in West Bengal

The National Human Rights Commission, on 16 January 2001, directed its Director General (Investigation) to collect the facts, in particular those relating to allegations pertaining to the incidents of violence in the villages of Choto Anguria and Keshpur in Midnapore district of West Bengal. The Director General (Investigation) visited the district immediately thereafter and reported back to the Commission.

This action of the Commission followed consideration of a matter brought to its notice initially by Dr. Tamali Sengupta, Advocate, and reiterated by several others who had complained of serious violations of human rights in Midnapore district of West Bengal recently. Particular mention was made of dastardly acts of arson in which the house of one Abdul Rahman was said to have been set on fire and related acts of violence resulting in the killing of those who were there within the house. Shri Rahman, who somehow managed to escape, was said to be in a state of deep shock and trauma.

The Commission had issued notice to the Government of West Bengal on 3 January 2001 on a complaint received from Dr. Tamali Sengupta. The additional material received was contained in a report of a group of Members of Parliament, who had visited Midnapore district. The Commission directed that the report of the group of MPs also be forwarded to the Government of West Bengal, requiring them to deal with it in their reply.

In view of the urgency of the matter, the Government of West Bengal was requested to ensure that its comprehensive reply, including reply to allegations contained in the papers submitted by the group of MPs, is submitted to the Commission within two weeks, positively.

The Commission considered the report received from its Director General (Investigation) on 24 January 2001 and decided to keep it in sealed cover. It directed its Secretary General to send a copy of the report marked `confidential’ to the Government of West Bengal. The Commission asked for its response/comments, if any, within one week, i.e. by 31 January 2001.

On receipt of the response/comments of the Government of West Bengal, the Commission plans to take up the matter for consideration. The date of the hearing will be intimated to the Chief Secretary and DGP of the Government of West Bengal, Dr. Tamali Sengupta, Shri Somnath Chatterjee, MP and Shri Vijay Goel, MP on behalf of the committee of MPs who had approached the Commission.