NHRC concern over attacks on Christians

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI, JULY 10. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today granted two more weeks to the Centre and State Governments to inform it about the steps taken by them to meet the situation arising out of attacks on Christians and their institutions.

Shocked over increasing incidents of attacks on Christians, the Commission had earlier asked the Chief Secretaries of the States and the Union Territories as well the Union Home Ministry to submit their response.

Amid reports of fresh attacks on churches in Karnataka, the full Commission met today to take stock and found that most Governments had not responded favourably to the notice. Concerned over the lack of response, the Commission decided to grant two more weeks for them to submit their reply.

Fresh notice to U.P.

The Commission also issued a fresh notice to the Uttar Pradesh Government as to why compensation should not be paid to the family of the cook of a Christian priest who died in Mathura on June 17 under mysterious circumstances.

It was reported in newspapers that the cook, Vijay Kumar Ekka, who was a key witness in the murder case of Brother George Kuzhikandam was tortured to death by police.

While seeking a report from the Chief Secretary and DGP of the U.P. Government, the Commission also sent a team from its investigation wing to Mathura for an on-the-spot inquiry. In response to the notice issued earlier, the Superintendent of Police, Mathura, sent his report to the Commission explaining how the death had occurred.

The Commission considered the SP's report and also the report of its investigation wing and ordered issue of notice to the State Government to reply within two weeks as to why compensation should not be paid to the victim's family.

On Bihar case

Reacting to the alleged torture of a truck driver and a cleaner by the Bihar Minister of State for Cooperation, Mr. Lalit Yadav, the NHRC today called for reports from the Bihar Government within two weeks.

Taking suo motu cognisance of newspaper reports about the alleged illegal detention of the driver and two others, all Dalits, the Commission also issued notice to the Chief Secretary and the State DGP asking why compensation should not be ordered to the victims.

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