Explain comment, NHRC to Buddha

Explain comment, NHRC to Buddha
SANTWANA BHATTACHARYA

NEW DELHI, JAN 12: West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya may have been hailed in certain quarters for reportedly ordering the police to use their guns without worrying about human rights, but it has got him into serious trouble with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).Taking note of Buddhadev’s alleged statement while inaugurating two police stations in West Bengal on Christmas, the full bench of the NHRC has sought clarification on whether he had actually made a statement abetting the police to violate human rights.

It was, of course, Bhattacharya’s arch rival Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee who brought it to their notice, via Home Minister L.K. Advani.

In a letter to the Home Minister, Banerjee, who has a running war with the Left Front Government in West Bengal on the law and order situation and human rights violation, had attached copies of the news-clippings quoting Bhattacharya’s alleged anti-human rights statements.

Advani, in turn, brought it to the NHRC’s notice in a letter which had a copy of Banerjee’s letter (to the Home Minister) appended to it.

The NHRC asked the state Chief Secretary to ascertain the correctness of the media reports which quoted Buddhadev advising the police, ‘‘Shoot if you need to and do not worry about the human rights. I will take care of you’’.

The NHRC directions to the chief secretary was sent today asking for a compliance report to the Commission within one week.

Inquiry demanded

KOLKATA:The CPI (ML) on Thursday demanded a judicial inquiry into the massacre at Chhota Angaria where several people were allegedly killed.Addressing mediapersons here, party state committee member Shankar Mitra, who led a seven-member team to the troubled spot yesterday, said police inquiry could not unravel the truth.