Four months on,NHRC yet to get reply from UP govt

The deaths were reported on May 7,and the NHRC had sent an investigating team to the affected area on May 12. There were also allegations of women being raped by policemen.

“The investigating team submitted its report to the state government,which has to respond to the findings of the team. So far,we have not received any response from them,” NHRC member Justice B C Patel told Newsline.

The SC/ST Commission and National Commission for Women are also investigating the case on their own.

“Earlier,the deadline was four weeks,but it has now been extended to eight weeks. The state administration,however,is yet to respond. The interim report is ready and once the state government responds,it will be presented before the full commission,which will take a final call,” Patel said.

He said that so far,the report only has the version of the investigating team.

“It is a procedural aspect. The comments of the authorities concerned,against whom observations have been made,has to be taken into account,” said another NHRC official.

A statement issued by the NHRC on May 12 read: “The NHRC has received complaints alleging largescale violence in Bhatta village and other nearby areas in Greater Noida,leading to loss of life and injuries to several persons,including the officers. In view of the gravity of the situation,the commission has decided to depute its investigation team for conducting an on-the-spot inquiry into the matter. In several complaints received by the commission,it has been alleged that the police mercilessly lathicharged farmers who were demanding more compensation for their land,which is being acquired by the state government…”