New Delhi, 24th May, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the DGP, Uttar Pradesh calling for a report within 15 days on the allegations that five women human rights defenders of an NGO, Sahjani Shiksha Kendra were physically and verbally assaulted by some powerful persons, when they were inaugurating an adult literacy centre for Dalit women in the Village Digwara of Madawara Block, District Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh on 12th May, 2013.

The Commission has also asked its Director General (Investigation) to depute a team to conduct an on the spot enquiry into the matter and submit a report within 15 days.

The complainant had alleged that the human rights defenders of SSK were hit by lathis and sustained serious injuries on head and other parts of body. Out of the five injured women human rights defenders, two belonged to the Dalit community and two to the OBC. The culprits abused them using filthy and caste based language. An FIR was registered in the matter u/s 323/504/506-IPC and provision of SC/ST Act. However, the police had taken no further action.

*****