New Delhi 16th May 2006

Taking note of disturbing news reports appearing in newspapers as well as electronic media about the alleged police action on medical and engineering students indulging in peaceful protests against the proposed increase of reservation quota for certain section of society in higher education, the Commission has called for factual reports from the Commissioners of police, Delhi and Mumbai in respect of the unprovoked lathi charge on the students in the two places. The Commission noted that the allegations of police action, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights. No civilized State can justify use of brutal force on peaceful demonstrators, the Commission observed.
The Commission has also taken note of news reports regarding strike of work by the resident doctors of government hospitals and also the call for a 'medical bandh', issued by the Indian Medical Association, resulting in paralyzing of medical services in Delhi to a large extent. The Commission, highlighting that right to proper and timely medical intervention and treatment is an essential feature of right to health care, has issued an appeal to the Indian Medical Association, Delhi Medical Association and the striking doctors to resume their duties in the interest of poor, sick and ailing patients.
The representatives of the organization "Country First", had also submitted a memorandum to the Chairperson, NHRC drawing the attention of the Commission on the unprovoked police action against the students. The Delhi Medical Association, through its President Dr. K.K.Kapoor and Hon. State Secretary, Dr. Girish Tyagi had also submitted a similar memorandum requesting for Commission's intervention.
The Commission has directed that copies of the news reports and memoranda submitted may be forwarded to the Commissioners of Police, Delhi and Mumbai for a factual report about the alleged incidents within two weeks.
*******