New Delhi, 22nd February, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of a media report alleging that a tribal man died of starvation in District Sundargarh, Odisha. The District Administration was approached for help, but there was no response. The incident is reported to have happened some time in the year 2012.


The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raised a serious issue of violation of human rights. A notice has been issued to the District Magistrate, Sundargarh, Odisha to submit a report in the matter within four weeks.


Reportedly, the man, aged 65 years, was residing in Chupkadadar village under Tribanpur Gram Panchayat, District Sundargarh. He was facing abject poverty and suffering from geriatric disease. He was dependent on forest produce as his land was infertile. He had not been issued a BPL Card or Old Age Pension. Allegedly, he along with his wife had been approaching the administration for assistance but without any results.


The media report was forwarded by a human rights activist seeking intervention of the Commission.


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