NHRC recommends posting of police constables at night shelters in Delhi (04.2.2015)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 4th February, 2015
The National Human Rights Commission has said that it would like to see that some police constables are posted in the various night shelters in Delhi to ensure security. It has directed to send its recommendations in this regard to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. It said that the concerned authorities shall also hold discussions with the NGOs and find solution for the problems relating to security of the shelters. The Commission has asked the Director (Nigh Shelter), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Government of NCT of Delhi to further submit a detailed report regarding the functioning of the night shelters, within six weeks.
The Commission made these observations while hearing the Director (Night Shelter) in response to its notices in different cases filed pertaining to problems in the shelter homes, which included among others, scarcity of infrastructure, sanitation, security and deaths near the shelter homes.
The Director (Night Shelters), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Government of NCT of Delhi stated that these shelters are managed by NGOs and they are being given financial assistance by the Delhi Government to maintain cleanliness of the surroundings and caretaking of these shelters. As regards the security of these shelters, he stated that so far there was no police constable deployed there.
It may be recalled that the Commission had taken cognizance of media reports on the pathetic conditions of poor homeless persons and inadequacies of shelter homes in the National Capital and through its notices in the month of January, 2014. It had issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and the Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to inform about the steps taken to protect the poor homeless persons from cold. It had also taken cognizance of the reports that homeless persons had died near shelter homes.
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New Delhi, 4th February, 2015
The National Human Rights Commission has said that it would like to see that some police constables are posted in the various night shelters in Delhi to ensure security. It has directed to send its recommendations in this regard to the Commissioner of Police, Delhi. It said that the concerned authorities shall also hold discussions with the NGOs and find solution for the problems relating to security of the shelters. The Commission has asked the Director (Nigh Shelter), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Government of NCT of Delhi to further submit a detailed report regarding the functioning of the night shelters, within six weeks.
The Commission made these observations while hearing the Director (Night Shelter) in response to its notices in different cases filed pertaining to problems in the shelter homes, which included among others, scarcity of infrastructure, sanitation, security and deaths near the shelter homes.
The Director (Night Shelters), Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Government of NCT of Delhi stated that these shelters are managed by NGOs and they are being given financial assistance by the Delhi Government to maintain cleanliness of the surroundings and caretaking of these shelters. As regards the security of these shelters, he stated that so far there was no police constable deployed there.
It may be recalled that the Commission had taken cognizance of media reports on the pathetic conditions of poor homeless persons and inadequacies of shelter homes in the National Capital and through its notices in the month of January, 2014. It had issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and the Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board to inform about the steps taken to protect the poor homeless persons from cold. It had also taken cognizance of the reports that homeless persons had died near shelter homes.
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