Victims of alleged human rights violations in the State including the likes of Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra, arrested for forwarding an email containing graphics of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, have written to National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) stating that the State human rights body is silent on matters of human rights violation.
“The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) is mostly silent on matters of human rights violation in the State. Hence, we were unable to keep faith in the SHRC and have decided seek your intervention for the protection of our rights,” according to a letter written by Prof Mahapatra referring to a recent attack on activists.
He also said that SHRC, a three-member team is being run by two members and chaired by a retired IPS officer, against whom there are allegations.
In an incident last week, activists were arrested for asking questions to Ms Banerjee at a public rally. Pradip Mukherjee, former school teacher, who organised a movement demanding justice for a student who was raped and murdered was allegedly attacked by an activist of All India Trinamool Congress at Diamond Habour in State’s South 24 parganas district.
Professor Mahapatra and others were protesting against the State have set up a forum Aakranta Amara ( We the Victims) and along with writing to NHRC chairperson, K.G. Balakrishnan, the activists have written to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and State’s Governor Keshari Nath Tripathi.
“Our human rights and our right to free expression have been grossly violated,” the letter said.
Professor Mahaptara and others have in their letter to the Union Home Minister said false complaints have been lodged against him.
