New Delhi, 7th May, 2014

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh and District Magistrate, Lalitpur to submit a detailed report into the allegations that due to severe drought in Lalitpur District of the State, a number of cases of starvation have been reported over the months and some families have sold or mortgaged their children for a small sum of money for their survival. They have been given four weeks time to submit a report.

The Commission has also directed its Director General (Investigation) to send a team for an on-the-spot investigation into these very serious allegations and submit a report within two weeks. The Commission took cognizance of the issue on the basis of a complaint which also carried a number of news clippings on the plight of poor people including those belonging to Saharia tribe in the district.

*****