Nhrc Seeks Report On Three Tribal Women’s Electrocution, Legal News, ET LegalWorld – Legal Firms

Bhubaneswar: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from the secretary of the energy department secretary over the electrocution deaths of three women belonging to a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) in Keonjhar district on October 22. It has sought the report from authorities concerned within six weeks.

The commission issued the direction on Friday after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy last month.

The incident had occurred when Kathi Juanga (62), her daughter-in-law Nirodhi Juanga (45), and Menjari Juanga (30), of Tangiri Juangasahi under Telkoi police station in Keonjhar district on came in contact with a snapped live wire. The deceased belonged to the Juang tribe.

The petitioner said this incident occurred when they were inside a jungle near their own village to graze their goats. The live wire was dangling dangerously in the air after somebody illegally took power from the mainline for irrigation purposes. Had the energy department taken care of electric wires earlier, this fatal incident could have been averted, he added.

He has requested the NHRC for rehabilitation of the family members of the deceased. He also urged the rights panel for free, fair and impartial inquiry into the incident and action against errant officials.

Tripathy prayed before the NHRC to order the authorities concerned for providing compensation to the next of kin of the deceased women and recommendation of exemplary action plans to check such fatal incidents in the future.