CHANDIGARH: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has served notices on the state governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pardesh, Delhi and the officials of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on issues arising out of the ongoing farmer agitation at the Delhi borders.
It has been alleged that around 9,000 industries and business houses in Bahadurgarh and Rai have been adversely impacted by the stir and even face closures. The notices have been served on complaints lodged by people facing problems of commuting on national highways leading to New Delhi, loss of business, trade and industry in Bahadurgarh, Singhu and Rai industrial areas of Rohtak, Sonipat and Jhajjar districts.
There are also reports of people having to travel long distances to reach their destination due to the ongoing agitation and barricades put at the Delhi borders.
Accordingly, the commission has issued notices to the chief secretaries of UP, Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, DGPs of UP, Haryana and Rajasthan, commissioner of police of Delhi, calling upon them to submit their respective action taken reports, the release said.
There are allegations of breach of the Covid-19 protocols by farmers at the protest site and of local residents not being allowed to move out of their houses due to the blockade of passage. The commission said that it was in a quandary as the issue also involved the right to agitate in a peaceful manner and it needs to take care of various human rights issues.
Directions issued by rights commission on protests
1 The Institute of Economic Growth (IEG) has been asked to examine the adverse impact of farmers’ agitation on industrial and commercial activities/production and disruption of transport services on commercial and normal consumers, including inconvenience and additional expenditure. The agency has been asked to submit a comprehensive report in the matter by October 10, 2021
2 NDMA has been asked to submit reports with respect to the adverse impact of farmers agitation on various aspects and observance of Covid protocols at protest sites
3 In the case of alleged gang rape of a human rights activist at the protest site, NHRC said it got no report from the DM, Jhajjar, regarding the payment of compensation to the next of kin of deceased. A fresh reminder was issued to the DM, Jhajjar, to file the report by October 10
4 Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi, was requested by the NHRC to depute teams to conduct a survey and submit a report assessing the disruption of livelihood, lives of people, impact on the aged and infirm persons due to protracted agitation by farmers
