Hyderabad: As many as 780 cases of human rights violations are pending in Telangana, including four police custodial deaths and 30 judicial custodial deaths, according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). These cases are among more than 35,000 pending across the country.During an open hearing and camp in the city, the NHRC chairperson, Justice V Ramasubramanian, passed appropriate directions after hearing109 cases of human rights violations in the state.Following the intervention of the NHRC in one case of caste-based harassment and a social boycott in a village in the Khammam district, the police took actionand ensured that the villagers refrained from engaging in caste-based discrimination or enforcing a social boycott against the family.In another case, involving the deaths of around 48 students and 886 incidents of food poisoning at Gurukul schools in Telangana, the commission directed the secretaries of all five Gurukul schools to submit a report within four weeks. In another case involving the wrongful arrest and lathi charge by police, the NHRC directed the state govt to submit all relevant documents, including environmental clearance and consent to establish the plant.Issues like crimes against women and children, man-animal conflict leading to deaths in many districts of Telangana, a large number of children suffering from malnutrition, problems faced by the SC Corporation, the lack of primary govt schools, the plight of farmers, including those engaged in fish seed production, and the rights of the LGBTQI community were discussed in the 2-day open hearing, which concluded on Tuesday.The officers were instructed to submit reports detailing the actions taken in response to various advisories issued by the commission on issues such as mental health, bonded labour, and the Right to Food & Safety. They were asked to ensure the timely submission of these reports to the commission to ensure justice for victims of human rights violations. It was also emphasised that compliance reports on the commission’s recommendations should be submitted as a priority. The chief secretary assured full compliance.
