Dont use locals as shields,NHRC warns forces

Taking a strong note of reports that security forces involved in reclaiming Lalgarh from Maoists were forcing villagers to search for landmines planted by the Naxals,the National Human Rights Commission on Monday warned the forces against the same.

The NHRC has seen with great concern reports that the security forces now deployed in and around Lalgarh in West Bengal have used local residents as human shields or have forced them to look for mines and improvised explosive devices. The Commission expects that the security and police personnel deployed by the Central or the state Government will act only to protect the lives and human rights of the residents of the area,and will not do anything to put these in jeopardy, an NHRC release said.

The NHRC also said that it expected security and police forces and government officials not to act in contravention of the law and the norms of human rights. If they do,the Commission will recommend appropriate action against them, it warned.

The NHRC also urged the occupiers to lay down their arms and not put the lives and livelihoods of the local residents at risk.