New Delhi, March 30th, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that a large group comprising special police officer of Chhattisgarh police and members of the Salwa Judum attacked Social Activists, Swami Agnivesh on the 26th March, 2011 as he attempted to deliver relief to a village reportedly torched by the security forces in Dantewada district.

Considering the issues raised in the report, the Commission today on the 30th March, 2011 observed that the entire incident is a matter of great concern, and issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh calling for their factual reports within four weeks in the matter.

The report carried on the 27th March, 2011 referred to the aftermath of an incident in which three men were killed; three women were sexually assaulted and about 300 homes, granaries and woodsheds were torched by the security forces during a five day anti-Maoist operation in the villages of Tarmetla, Timapuram and Morpalli.

Swami Agnivesh had gone there to deliver clothes, blankets and other relief materials to the affected villagers, when he was attacked twice in six hours by a mob at a Salwa Judum camp at Dornapal. Quoting Swami Agnivesh it was reported that the mob surrounded him and pelted raw eggs on him. His turban was knocked down and he was pushed around. The reporters at the spot were also manhandled by the mob. Allegedly, the security provided to him proved futile forcing his return from the place.

Subsequent to the incident the SSP and Collector, Dantewada were reported to have been transferred.

Earlier, the Commission on the 28th March, 2011 had sought the reports from the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Government of Chhattisgarh as well as Secretary, Ministry of Home, Government of India, New Delhi while taking suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging wide destruction of tribals' property in violation of their right to life by the Koya Commandos of Chhattisgarh police and COBRA battalion of CRPF.
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