Poor conditions in Leprosy camp;
Andhra Pradesh Government asked to comment
New Delhi, 21 October 2004
The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh to look into the reported negligence on the part of the State Government in the maintenance of a village (camp) of Leprosy patients, which was highlighted in a Telugu daily, dated 4 October 2004.
Taking suo-motu cognizance based on the news report Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson of the Commission stated that if the contents of the report are true, it raises the serious issue of violation of human rights of Leprosy patients. The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit his comments within two weeks.
The news story highlighted the condition in Wandrikal village in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh, which had been set up by a foreign doctor in 1981 who used to treat leprosy patients. The Doctor had with the support of the then State Government got a colony constructed for 34 families and land allotted to each family who were ostracized by society. However, it is now reported that others have occupied the land in connivance with officials. It was also stated that the healthy children of the leprosy patients are not allowed to study in schools and due to the suffering experienced, 10 families have left the village for Rajasthan and had taken to begging.
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The National Human Rights Commission has asked the Chief Secretary, Andhra Pradesh to look into the reported negligence on the part of the State Government in the maintenance of a village (camp) of Leprosy patients, which was highlighted in a Telugu daily, dated 4 October 2004.
Taking suo-motu cognizance based on the news report Dr. Justice A.S. Anand, Chairperson of the Commission stated that if the contents of the report are true, it raises the serious issue of violation of human rights of Leprosy patients. The Chief Secretary has been asked to submit his comments within two weeks.
The news story highlighted the condition in Wandrikal village in Nizamabad district of Andhra Pradesh, which had been set up by a foreign doctor in 1981 who used to treat leprosy patients. The Doctor had with the support of the then State Government got a colony constructed for 34 families and land allotted to each family who were ostracized by society. However, it is now reported that others have occupied the land in connivance with officials. It was also stated that the healthy children of the leprosy patients are not allowed to study in schools and due to the suffering experienced, 10 families have left the village for Rajasthan and had taken to begging.
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