NHRC notice to the Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala, Punjab over reports of the death and sickness of special children at a State Home (05.08.2016)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 5th August, 2016
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala after taking suo motu cognizance of media reports that two children died and 32 fell ill after consuming donated food at the State run Sukhjit Ashram, a Home for the special children in the district on the 9th August, 2016. He has been given four weeks time to respond with a detailed report in the matter along with the steps taken against the guilty officers as well as the precautions to avoid such incidents in future.
The Commission has also observed that it is a serious incident which indicates that there was carelessness and negligence on the part of the Superintendent and the other officers of the Home, who were the custodians of the special children.
According to the media reports, carried on the 3rd August, 2016, the Ashram has children from 10-19 years. The food from outside was served at on the 31st July, 2016, in violation of the orders of the District Commissioner. The District Social Security Officer (DSSO), who manages the Ashram and the staff were giving contradictory statements as to who allowed the outside food for the children. There was no record either about the identity of the persons who provided the food.
Reportedly, 32 children from the Ashram were to the rushed to the Civil Hospital on the 2nd August, 2016, after the death of the second child. According to the Civil Surgeon, the preliminary report suggested that the children fell ill due to food poisoning.
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New Delhi, 5th August, 2016
The National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the Deputy Commissioner, Kapurthala after taking suo motu cognizance of media reports that two children died and 32 fell ill after consuming donated food at the State run Sukhjit Ashram, a Home for the special children in the district on the 9th August, 2016. He has been given four weeks time to respond with a detailed report in the matter along with the steps taken against the guilty officers as well as the precautions to avoid such incidents in future.
The Commission has also observed that it is a serious incident which indicates that there was carelessness and negligence on the part of the Superintendent and the other officers of the Home, who were the custodians of the special children.
According to the media reports, carried on the 3rd August, 2016, the Ashram has children from 10-19 years. The food from outside was served at on the 31st July, 2016, in violation of the orders of the District Commissioner. The District Social Security Officer (DSSO), who manages the Ashram and the staff were giving contradictory statements as to who allowed the outside food for the children. There was no record either about the identity of the persons who provided the food.
Reportedly, 32 children from the Ashram were to the rushed to the Civil Hospital on the 2nd August, 2016, after the death of the second child. According to the Civil Surgeon, the preliminary report suggested that the children fell ill due to food poisoning.
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