New Delhi, 20th February, 2013
The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that the higher castes in a village of District Kishanganj, Bihar denied water to Dalits. The media reported the incident on 5th February, 2013.

Reportedly, higher castes persons, including the Panchayat Head, issued a diktat ordering Dalits not to use village water as they had complained that money meant for welfare schemes was being siphoned off by the Panchayat members. Allegedly, the children of Dalit families were warned of dire consequences if they attended the village schools.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raised a serious issue of violation of human rights of Dalits and issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Bihar and District Magistrate, Kishanganj returnable in four weeks.

The media report was forwarded by a complainant to the Commission.


*****