New Delhi, 19th September, 2014

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that cops shot dead two villagers and critically injured four others believing them to be Maosits in District Gumla, Jharkhand on the 3rd September, 2014. Two of the injured were sent for treatment to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences, Ranchi while the two others were taken to a local hospital.

Reportedly, the police had fired at their truck loaded with bauxite in Bishunpur block. The Jharkhand Government had announced Rs. 10 lakhs as compensation for the families of the deceased truck driver, Hiralal Oraon, aged 30 years, and his helper, Nilesh Oraon, aged 26 years.

The Commission has observed that the contents of the news report, if true, raised a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims. Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the Secretary, Home Department, Government of Jharkhand calling for a factual report within two weeks.
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