NHRC takes suo motu cognizance of media reports on burning of 8 persons in Birbhum district, West Bengal; Calls for reports from the State Government

New Delhi, 24th March, 2022

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, India has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that 8 persons, including women and children were allegedly burnt to death in Bogtui village in Rampurhat area of Birbhum district, West Bengal on 22nd March, 2022, after TMC leader was killed in a bomb attack.

The Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, West Bengal calling for a detailed report in the matter within four weeks including the status for the FIRs registered in the matter, steps taken to ensure safety of the people in the village and any relief or rehabilitation provided by the State Government.

Issuing the notices, the Commission has also observed that going by the contents of the media reports, the incident of hate violence indicates that the law and order is not appropriate in the area.

According to the media reports, the doctors at Rampurhat Government Hospital, where the bodies were taken for post-mortem, stated that the condition of the bodies made their work very difficult. It is further stated that the presence of blood suggests that the victims were first physically attacked and then the houses were put on fire.

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