Latest news with #NHRC
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
NHRC seeks Arunachal Pradesh report on protests against Siang Upper project
ITANAGAR: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday took cognisance of media reports on protests by hundreds of people to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh, and sought a report from the chief secretary and state police chief. The commission cited a media report of May 23 on a human rights activist and convenor of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum leading a protest by 400 people against the dam construction in Beging village. In a statement, NHRC said it had taken suo motu cognisance of the report 'that the residents are opposing the proposed construction of a dam, apprehending that it may result in the displacement of several people and adversely impact livelihood and ecology in the Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh'. 'Reportedly, to deal with the situation, the government has deployed central armed forces in various areas of the Siang district in the State,' the statement said. The commission said that the media report, if true, raise serious concerns of potential human rights violations and sought detailed reports from the chief secretary and the director general of police within two weeks. The commission's decision to take note of the protests comes days after a consultative meeting on the contentious project spiralled into chaos on May 27 as villagers opposing the mega hydropower project clashed with security forces and disrupted the proceedings. Days later, chief minister Pema Khandu said the project was still at the stage of a pre-feasibility report (PFR) and that the government would go ahead with the project 'based on the will of the people'. Khandu also reiterated that the project was of strategic importance and not just aimed at generating electricity. 'China's upstream hydropower plans are a serious concern for India. Unregulated release of water could cause massive flooding in Siang valley and parts of Assam. Conversely, if water is withheld, the Siang may dry up during winters,' he warned.
India Gazette
5 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
"Directed Chief Secretary, DGP of West Bengal to ensure her safety": NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo on Sharmishtha Panoli's arrest
New Delhi [India], June 2 (ANI): National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Monday said that the commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) in West Bengal, directing them to ensure the safety of social media influencer Sharmishtha Panoli, who was recently arrested for posting an alleged communal post, owing to 'rape and death threats' against the accused. He said that the Legal Rights Observatory lodged a complaint with the NHRC, alleging that proper legal procedures were not followed during the arrest of Panoli, who was arrested by the West Bengal police from Haryana's Gurugram on May 30. 'We received a complaint from an organisation called Legal Rights Observatory regarding a law student, who was arrested by West Bengal Police from Haryana in the middle of the night over an allegedly objectionable social media post. The complaint alleges that proper legal procedures were not followed during her arrest and transit. It also states that the girl has received threats from radical Islamists, including rape and death threats,' Kanoongo told ANI. He added that NHRC would decide on its next course of action after inquiring whether proper legal protocols were followed during Panoli's arrest. 'We have issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of West Bengal, directing them to ensure her safety, especially as she is now in judicial custody. Additionally, we have sought clarification from the Haryana government on whether all legal protocols were followed. Based on the responses, we will decide the next course of action,' Kanoongo added. Earlier, Manan Kumar Mishra, Chairman of the Bar Council of India and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court of India, strongly condemned the arrest of law student Sharmishtha Panoli. He issued a statement stating that her detention over a now-deleted social media video--despite her immediate apology--has sparked outrage, with Mishra denouncing it as a grave miscarriage of justice and a direct attack on freedom of expression. Mishra asserted that the Bengal government and Kolkata Police have repeatedly demonstrated selective enforcement of the law, targeting individuals from specific communities while overlooking more serious offences committed by others. He pointed to historical injustices in West Bengal, such as the Marichjhanpi massacre, Nandigram violence, and politically motivated killings, as evidence of systemic failures in the state's justice system. Recent incidents, including the Murshidabad riots, further exemplify what he termed 'appeasement politics,' where the state shields perpetrators of violence against certain groups while swiftly punishing those who express dissent. Law student and social media influencer Sharmishta Panoli was taken into custody by Kolkata Police in Gurugram on Friday night after facing intense backlash over a video she shared earlier this month. The now-deleted footage allegedly featured communally sensitive language and remarks that sparked outrage online and led to legal proceedings. (ANI)
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
NHRC issues notice to West Bengal DGP to ensure Sharmistha Panoli's safety
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Director general of police of West Bengal to ensure the safety of Sharmistha Panoli, a social media influencer and law student arrested over her alleged communal remarks linked to Operation Sindoor, said Priyank Kanoongo, a member of the human rights body. The action was taken in view of the multiple 'rape and death threats' against Panoli, Kanoongo told ANI. He also said that the human rights body received a complaint from the Legal Rights Observator alleging that proper legal procedures were not followed during Panoli's arrest. Panoli was arrested from Haryana's Gurugram by the West Bengal Police on Friday, May 30, over her contentious post. She has been sent to judicial custody till June 13. "We received a complaint from an organisation called Legal Rights Observatory regarding a law student, who was arrested by West Bengal Police from Haryana in the middle of the night over an allegedly objectionable social media post. The complaint alleges that proper legal procedures were not followed during her arrest and transit. It also states that the girl has received threats from radical Islamists, including rape and death threats," Kanoongo told ANI. He also said that the NHRC has reached out to the Haryana government as well to determine whether all legal procedures were followed properly or not during Panoli's arrest before deciding the next course of action. 'We have issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and DGP of West Bengal, directing them to ensure her safety, especially as she is now in judicial custody. Additionally, we have sought clarification from the Haryana government on whether all legal protocols were followed. Based on the responses, we will decide the next course of action,' he said. A police complaint has been filed against a 30-year-old Kolkata resident, whose May 14 complaint led to the arrest of a 22-year-old law student for a social media post from Gurugram, people familiar with the matter said on Monday.
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
10 things to know about the Muzaffarpur rape case that shook Bihar
Bihar Congress President Rajesh Ram speaks with the media during a protest after the death of a minor Dalit rape victim during treatment at a hospital, in Patna. (PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: The death of a 9-year-old Dalit girl after a brutal rape in Bihar's Muzaffarpur has triggered outrage across the country. As allegations of medical negligence and administrative failure emerge, here are 10 things to know about the case that has prompted interventions from the NHRC, NCW, and national leaders: 1. Brutal assault on a 9-year-old girl in Muzaffarpur On May 26, the minor girl was allegedly lured with chocolate near her aunt's house and taken to a maize field where she was raped and physically assaulted. She sustained serious neck and internal injuries. 2. Referred to Patna after initial treatment She was first admitted to Sri Krishna Medical College and Hospital (SKMCH) in Muzaffarpur. Due to her critical condition, she was referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on May 30. 3. Left in an ambulance for hours at PMCH According to her uncle, the child was kept waiting for 2-3 hours inside an ambulance outside PMCH before being admitted. Despite her condition, proper care was allegedly delayed, and the family claims she was only admitted after they raised a ruckus. 4. Allegations of negligence and overmedication The family alleged that doctors gave the child sedatives through the night, and she died the next morning. They also claimed they had to spend Rs 25,000 at the government hospital. 5. NHRC issues notices, calls it a violation of human rights The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took suo motu cognisance and issued notices to the chief secretary and DGP of Bihar, calling the incident a serious human rights violation. A detailed report has been sought within two weeks. 6. NCW demands immediate action, cites 'systemic failures' National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar also took suo motu cognisance, demanding a probe into the role of the hospital authorities and police, and calling the delay in treatment "gross negligence." 7. RJD's Tejashwi Yadav slams government for inaction RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav accused the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government of prioritising elections over justice. He said the CM and Deputy CMs haven't even acknowledged the case, calling the law and order situation in Bihar "criminal disorder." 8. Rahul Gandhi blames 'double-engine' government Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi posted on X that the girl's life could've been saved with timely medical care. He blamed the NDA's negligence and vowed to fight until the family receives justice. 9. Government promises Rs 4 lakh ex gratia, fast-track trial Bihar minister Kedar Gupta announced a Rs 4 lakh compensation, promised a chargesheet within 10 days, and said the government would seek a death sentence for the accused within two months. 10. Accused is a repeat offender According to media reports cited by the NHRC, the same accused had previously raped another 12-year-old girl and tried to kill her. The delay in action raises questions about policing and prevention mechanisms.
Hans India
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Sharmistha arrest: NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo seeks report from West Bengal
New Delhi: The NHRC on Monday sought a report within 10 days from the West Bengal government and police on the safety of the jailed law student-cum-creator Sharmistha Panoli, while questioning the state authorities on her arrest formalities. NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo told IANS, 'A notice was issued to the Chief Secretary and police chief on receiving a complaint alleging irregularities in the procedure adopted by police to arrest Panoli and take her on transit remand.' 'We have sought a report within 10 days,' Kanoongo said. Twenty-two-year-old Sharmistha was arrested on Saturday in Haryana's Gurugram by Kolkata Police for posting videos containing communal remarks during Operation Sindoor. Earlier, Bollywood star Kangana Ranaut on Sunday called for the early release of Panoli, calling her arrest over a now-deleted social media post 'unjustified'. Kangana, known for essaying characters of strong women in her films, also expressed concerns over the damage caused to the influencer-cum-law student's career after her arrest by Kolkata Police. 'No girl or daughter should be subjected to such high-handedness,' said Ranaut while talking to the media on the sidelines of an event in Delhi. Targeting the Trinamool government in West Bengal, the National Award-winning actress and BJP MP from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh, said, 'I request the government of West Bengal not to make the state another North Korea.' 'Every citizen has democratic rights…if she made an objectionable comment, she also apologised for it later. She seems to have made the comment in a general context. Youngsters today use such language in the normal course,' she said, putting up a strong case for Sharmistha's release. Actor-cum-politician and Andhra Pradesh's Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan showed solidarity with Sharmistha and asked West Bengal Police to act justly. Amid the growing sympathy for the arrested influencer, the Kolkata Police sought to counter the 'misleading narrative' surrounding their action and her objectionable social media content. In a post on the social media platform X, the Kolkata Police justified their action of apprehending the 22-year-old law student, claiming they acted lawfully according to the procedure established by law. 'Hate speech and abusive language should not be misconstrued as freedom of speech and expression as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution,' said the police. 'The accused was not arrested for expressing patriotism or for personal belief; legal actions were taken for sharing offensive content which promotes hatred among the communities,' the police said.
