NHRC notice to the Government of Chhattisgarh over alleged illegal arrest and torture of a journalist in Bastar by police( 23.3.2016)

New Delhi, 23rd March, 2016

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC today issued a notice to the Government of Chhattisgarh on a complaint drawing specific attention to the illegal arrest, detention and torture of a progressive journalist by police in Bastar on 21st March, 2016 and alleging that human rights defenders are been targeted for doing their legitimate work as defenders of tribal rights in the state. The Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, Chhattisgarh have been given two weeks time to submit a factual report in the matter.
The complainant has alleged that the victim journalist and a Human Rights Defenders Shri Prabhat Singh was picked up from his shop by policemen in plain clothes without any notice or warning about 6 p.m. He was taken to Parpa police station, beaten up and tortured all night and even deprived of food and water.
The complainant has requested the Commission for its immediate intervention, impartial investigation and action against those found guilty of violation of human rights of the victim.
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