New Delhi, Jan 8 (PTI) The NHRC has taken cognisance of acomplaint that 98 bonded labourers, rescued from two brickkiln sites in Jammu and Kashmir, have been neither given anyimmediate interim relief nor release certificates and left tofend for themselves.
In a statement issued today, the National Human RightsCommission (NHRC) said that it has asked its Director General(Investigation) to "inquire into the matter and submit areport, within two weeks".
The NHRC has taken cognisance of a complaint that "98bonded labourers, rescued from two brick kiln sites in Sambaand Reasi districts of Jammu and Kashmir on December 28-29,have neither been given any immediate interim relief norrelease certificates as per law and left to fend forthemselves".
The labourers belong to Bilaspur, Janjgir, Champa,Jaijaipur, Raigarh of Chhattisgarh and include 20 women and 41children, the rights panel said.
"Allegedly, the victims were subjected to lathi-charge bythe Delhi Police and some of the victims, including pregnantwomen have sustained injuries," it said.
The victims travelled from Jammu to Delhi in a "pitiablecondition", without food and shelter, and approached thecommission with the help of some social activists on January4, the NHRC said.
The commission has also issued a notice to the districtmagistrates of Samba and Reasi calling upon them to submit thereport in accordance with the provisions of the Bonded LabourSystem (Abolition) Act, 1976.
They have been also asked to submit the copies of therelease certificates and explanations on the allegations madein the complaint within a "period of three days of the receiptof the notice".
The district magistrates of Bilaspur, Janjgir, Champa,Jaijaipur, Raigarh, shall also coordinate with the districtmagistrates of Samba and Reasi, in order to ensure expeditiousrehabilitation of the released bonded labourers, the NHRCsaid.
"They are expected to submit their report to thecommission within four weeks," it added.
The Investigation Division (of the NHRC) shall alsoimmediately contact the office of the chief secretary, Delhigovernment, resident commissioners of Chhattisgarh and Jammuand Kashmir in order to see the welfare and well-being of thevictims till they reach their native places.
"A report be also obtained from Commissioner of Police,Delhi on use of force by police on the victims," it said. PTIKNDANB.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.