Govt, protesters violating human rights, says NHRC

Kathmandu, February 22:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) today flayed the government and the agitating groups in Tarai for causing worst human rights situation in 11 Tarai districts. The districts are Bara, Parsa, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusha, Saptari, Siraha, Morang, Sunsari and Banke, where Commission monitored the human rights situation.

Releasing a report on its human rights assessment in the Tarai districts, the NHRC said that the life in these districts has become more difficult and same problem has also been created in Kathmandu valley.

The rights body said that various criminal groups were active to make the situation more difficult as they are involved in activities like killing, abducting, threatening and bombing the houses of individuals. During the last two months, two people were killed in Tarai.

The report also said that such insecurity in Tarai districts pushes public servants to demand transfer to safest area and the local businessmen, educational institutes, industries have been clearly facing trouble and the daily wages labours have also been suffering due to activities of the criminal groups. According to the NHRC, the rights activists and journalists have also been facing threat to carry out their duties.

“The contradicting activities of the activists of Seven Party Alliance, human rights activists and professionals created confusion over whether or not the election will be held,” the report said. The people in the Tarai districts have also been facing trouble to get service as the VDC secretaries in several districts have been halting their services since the last few months.

The NHRC also called the government to resolve Tarai crisis by holding talks with the political parties and agitating Tarai groups and called not use excessive force on the agitating groups. It has also called the government not to illegally search the houses of individuals and to be sensitive about women, children and aged people.

Calling the government and the Maoists to implement the comprehensive peace accord, the NHRC called to implement report on Gaur incident and create a conducive environment in order to provide rights situation in the country. The NHRC suggested the government to provide enough supply of basic needs to ensure the life of the common people. The NHRC also called to declare the schools as zone of peace and the right of the students to get education should not be hindered at any cost. The NHRC called political parties not to press law enforcement agencies while handling cases.