Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Jul 29: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has demanded a report within four weeks on the death of 48 students and 886 food poisoning cases in Telangana's Gurukul (residential) schools. The directive was issued to the secretaries of five societies managing residential schools for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, and Minorities.
The matter was one of 109 human rights violation cases taken up during the NHRC’s two-day ‘Open Hearing and Camp Sitting’ held in Hyderabad, which concluded on Tuesday.
NHRC Chairperson Justice V. Ramasubramanian, along with members Justice (Dr.) Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi and Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, presided over the hearings, listening to victims, complainants, and officials.
Among other key highlights:
• A fifth-grade student raised the issue of stray dog attacks. The NHRC instructed authorities to create a standard operating procedure (SOP) to address the menace.
• Of the Rs 49.65 lakh compensation recommended in nine cases, the Telangana government has paid Rs 22.50 lakh and committed to clearing the balance Rs 27.15 lakh soon.
• In a DRDO-linked rocket unit blast, relief of Rs 50 lakh was paid to three of four victim families. The NHRC has directed payment to the fourth.
• The Commission also reviewed a case of police lathi charge and wrongful arrest, asking the state to furnish documents related to environmental clearance for a controversial plant.
• In a trafficking case, a constable was dismissed, and several tribal women were rescued.
The NHRC also held a high-level review with the Telangana Chief Secretary, DGP, and senior officials, focusing on systemic reforms and preventive action to curb rights violations. Key areas of concern included:
• Malnutrition in children
• Lack of government primary schools
• Farmers’ issues, especially fish seed producers
• Rights of the LGBTQI+ community
• Man-animal conflict deaths
• Crime against women and children
Later, NHRC members met civil society groups and human rights defenders (HRDs), encouraging greater collaboration for promoting human rights. Justice Ramasubramanian stressed that working with NGOs and SHRCs will be essential in strengthening the human rights framework in India.
Citizens were also informed that complaints can be submitted online via hrcnet.nic.in.
Dr. Justice Shameem Akther, Chairperson of the Telangana State Human Rights Commission, was present throughout the proceedings.