Conscience Shocked”: Human Rights Panel To Send Team To Bengal’s Sandeshkhali

New Delhi: 

Even as the politics surrounding the issue continues to heat up, the National Human Rights Commission has taken note of the allegations of rape levelled against a Trinamool Congress strongman and his aides by women in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali. The panel has issued a notice to the state’s chief secretary and police chief, and will also send a team to the village to conduct a spot enquiry.

Taking note of media reports that local villagers are protesting against the alleged crimes by Trinamool strongman Sheikh Shahjahan – who is on the run – and his aides Uttam Sardar and Shibu Hazra – who have been arrested – the commission on Wednesday said these “indicate prima facie violation of human rights shocking the conscience”.

The panel also noted that the safety of women, children and the elderly has been jeopardised and many women have left their homes. Exercising its power under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the commission said it had issued notices to the West Bengal chief secretary and director general of police and asked them to submit action-taken reports within four weeks.