NHRC Camp Sittings in Assam and Meghalaya<br>

The National Human Rights Commission in its efforts to reach out to the far-flung areas has been organizing its Camp Sittings in different parts of the country. The aim of the Camp Sitting is to dispose of pending cases concerning one particular State by hearing the senior government officers; sensitize them about the importance of human rights issues
and compliance of NHRC recommendations by them; meet the local NGOs to get an insight into the problems being faced by the people and also brief the media for wider dissemination of information on the human rights and action taken for their protection and promotion by the NHRC. During the last two years, the NHRC has held Camp Sittings at Bengaluru (for four southern States), Odisha and Gujarat.
This time, a delegation of the Commission headed by Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson and comprising Members, DG(I), Registrar (Law) and other senior officers visited Guwahati, Assam from the 28th-29th May, 2012 and Shillong, Meghalaya on the 30th May, 2012 for its Camp Sittings.
In Assam Camp Sitting, the Commission closed 14 out of total 50 cases taken up for hearing in Full Commission and the two Divisional Benches. The Commission recommended monetary relief of R 35 lakhs to the victims of Human Rights violations. In its meeting with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other senior officers of the State, the Commission discussed, among others, the following issues:
a) Bonded labour
b) Prisoner reforms
c) Mental health
d) Crime against women
e) Observance of NHRC guidelines on reporting of encounter and custodial death
The Commission asked the authorities to adhere to the provisions of Law and the guidelines issued by the NHRC in all such issues. They were particularly asked to ensure prison reforms; give vocational training to the prisoners and ensure their regular health check ups. The Commission expressed concern over large number of cases on crime against women in the State. It asked the concerned authorities to regularly update their data on all types of cases.
The Commission also met with the representatives of NGOs. The key issues raised by them were as follows:
a) Eviction of six thousand adivasis from forest land
b) Rehabilitations of encroachers on the Railway land
c) Child care centres for disabled children
d) Starvation death of tea garden workers
Later addressing a press conference, Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC described the Camp Sitting as very fruitful. He said that the role of the NHRC is to help States in good governance by pointing out shortcomings, if any, in the functioning of the public authorities. The NHRC Members, Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel, Mr. Satyabrata Pal and Mr. P.C. Sharma also answered queries by the media.
Camp Sitting in Meghalaya
In Meghalaya, while taking up pending cases, the Commission expressed serious concern over child labour in mines in the State and asked the concerned authorities to stop it in all its forms. During a day-long Camp Sitting in Shillong, the Commission asked the State authorities to conduct a survey of mines to find out the number of child labourers employed there and take measures for their schooling and rehabilitation. The State authorities admitted that 220 child workers were identified in Jaintia hills. They were asked to give monetary compensation to the child labourers as per the provisions of bonded labour Act and submit an action taken report.
With reference to allegation of rampant illegal mining in the State, the Commission said that the State government should exercise its jurisdiction of authority in controlling it. The State should study the issue of mining from the point of view of bonded labour, environmental and health hazards and trafficking and sexual exploitation of women. With reference to the incidents of sexual exploitation of minor girls and abandoning of newly born children and infanticide, the Commission said that the State government needs to look into these issues from social aspect apart from a criminal offence. It should spread awareness in society about ills of this problem. During the discussions with the Chief Secretary, DGP and other senior officers of the State government, the Commission asked them to comply with the NHRC recommendations and guidelines in submitting reports on encounter and custodial deaths. The Commission heard 9 cases in its Full Commission and two Divisional Bench sittings and closed two cases. The Commission recommended R 3,00,000/- as monetary relief in an encounter case. While discussing the issues of human rights violations with the representatives of NGOs, the Commission asked them to monitor the implementation of various social welfare schemes and bring to the knowledge of the Commission, in case of any shortcomings, for taking necessary action. The Chairperson and Members also addressed a press conference on the outcome of the Camp Sitting.