Chennai: A two-day hearing of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) here saw a range of cases being probed and recommendation of action, including directions to state government on the sensitive issue of denial of worship rights to SC/ST community members in some temples in Tamil Nadu.
NHRC headed by its Chairman Justice K G Balakrishnan described the hearing as "very very successful," while acknowledging the cooperation of the state government, but not before the latter was pulled up for "not very satisfactory" response on August 7, the first day of the hearing.
"The two-day hearing was very very successful and solutions were found for many cases, As for the pending cases, we will continue to pursue with the officials and NGOs," Balakrishnan said on the outcome of the hearing where the rights body took up 317 cases and disposed off 159 of them.
Asked about the temple worship denial issue, Commission member Satyabrata Pal said state government officials have been asked to ensure proper access to all people irrespective of the community to places of worship.
A wide range of cases including encroachment of a grave yard of SC/ST people by upper caste members came up.
The Commission recommended prosecution of the encroachers under Section 3(1)(v) of SC/ST Act and also recommended prosecution of the negligent government officer under Section 4 of the Act," NHRC said.
Further, treating as a "special case," the incident of gang rape of a minor girl with speech and hearing impairment, the Commission recommended "adequate financial assistance" to her.
Without disclosing the quantum, NHRC said it had recommended that the assistance be given from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, August 09, 2012, 21:58