NHRC concludes Open Hearing and Camp Sitting at Bengaluru, Karnataka (03.08.2018)

PRESS RELEASE

Bengaluru, 3rd August, 2018
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today concluded its two days' 'Open Hearing and Camp Sitting' organized in Bengaluru for the cases of Karnataka. The Commission took up 185 cases in its Open Hearing on the day one and recommended monetary relief of Rs. Five Lakhs in one case and also issued Show Cause Notices to the State government in seven matters for providing monetary relief for prima-facie violation of human rights. In some cases, reports received from authorities were ordered to be sent to the complainant for their comments and, in some cases, further reports have been called for. 106 cases were closed after satisfactory response from the State Government.
Earlier, inaugurating the programme Mr. Justice H. L. Dattu, Chairperson NHRC said that the open hearings and camp sittings provide an opportunity to look at human rights situation in a State and the grievances of the people, particularly the marginalized sections, and recommend on the spot relief to the victims of human rights violations besides creating awareness and helping the official machinery in improving the governance with proper implementation of Socio-economic Flagship programmes and provision of basic facilities.
Mr. Ambuj Sharma, Secretary General, NHRC said that the Commission is able to interact directly with various stakeholders including victims of human rights violations, human rights defenders, NGOs, Media at the Camp sittings/Open hearings. Mr. T. M. Vijaybhaskar, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, assured the Commission of prompt action on the various complaints received from NHRC.
Besides, the issues of atrocities on SC/ST, the cases pertain to water drainage in Hassan district, compensation and rehabilitation for acquisition of land for metro rail by KIADB in Bengaluru, allotment of land to scheduled castes, construction of homes for scheduled caste in Gadag, alleged suicide by a person due to police torture in Gulbarga, release of retirement benefit and rape on Dalit minor girl, release and rehabilitation of bonded labourers, death in main hole, electrocution death, failure by the police to take action, death of children due to vaccination in Mandya etc.
On the 2nd day, 11 cases were taken up by the Full Commission. These included matters pertaining to illegal quarrying in Shimoga district and Mandya district, atrocities by a mob on a Tanzanian national women by a mob in Bengaluru, rescue of slave farmers from Mysore district, police atrocities on villagers in Belgaum district, contaminated water supply in Shivamogga district and air and water pollution caused by land filled garbage in Mysore. The Full Commission was informed that Rs. 4.53 lakh have been paid to victims of atrocity in Mandya district and Rs. 1.50 lakh paid to the victim from Bengaluru district. Further, in the case of contaminated water supply Rs. two lakh each have been paid to the families of the four deceased. The Commission also recommended monetary compensation of Rs. 5000/- each for 35 victims who were taken ill by contaminated water. Upon consideration of the reports, the Full Commission closed four cases and called for further reports in the remaining cases.
The Full Commission meeting was followed by an interaction with the NGOs, Human Rights Defenders and LGBT community representatives. During the interaction, the civil society representatives raised sensitive issues such as victimization of barber community members, problems faced by transgender, human trafficking and bonded labour, delay in registration of cases by police, problems faced by human rights defenders including threats to their life, physical violence and sexual harassment against women at work place even in corporate sector etc.

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