NHRC issues notice to Punjab and Uttar Pradesh over migrant mother wheeling suitcase with child sleeping on it

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday issued notices to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and the Agra district magistrate over a mother pulling a suitcase with her small child sleeping half hung on it on the Agra highway.

The NHRC has called for a detailed report within four weeks in the matter including the action taken against the responsible officers or officials and relief/ assistance provided to the victim families.

The commission has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that the migrant woman was walking all the way from somewhere in Punjab to Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh till she caught the attention of the media persons.

The NHRC has also observed that it is aware of the unprecedented situation and that the Central and the state governments are working sincerely to address every issue coming up during the lockdown but it is strange that the pain of the child and the family could be seen and felt by many en route, except the local authorities.

It added that had the local authorities been vigilant, some relief could immediately be provided to the aggrieved family and others facing similar hardships. The incident amounts to violation of human rights and requires intervention by the NHRC.

The Commission has further observed that several news reports about miseries of people have come to its notice during the lockdown forcing it to intervene in order to sensitize the Central and the state authorities to deal with the situation with an approach of respect to human rights of the public at large, particularly the vulnerable sections of the society. However, media reports suggest continuing sufferings of the people, particularly the migrant labourers, whose journey long, is not coming to a halt.