Bhubaneswar, Aug 19: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought an action taken report from the Odisha government on 11 families of Ganjam district being subjected to social boycott.
The NHRC issued the direction to the state Chief Secretary on August 17 last asking him to submit the report within four weeks on a complaint from Human Rights activist Rabindra Mishra.
The Rights Apex body stated that it would be constrained to invoke coercive process u/s 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 calling for a personal appearance of the authority concerned for submission of the report, in case the report is not received within the stipulated time.
Mishra in his complaint stated that 11 families are being subjected to social boycott by an organization called Biruli Taluka Reddy Mahajan Sangha in Ganjam district of Odisha.
The complainant has further mentioned that 74 families are being subjected to social boycott in Banai area of the district. Some people are being subjected to harassment on false allegations of practicing black magic.
He said the matter has been brought to the notice of the Collectors of Ganjam and Gajapati districts but no action has been taken by the authorities till date and requested the Commission to intervene into the matter.
The Commission said an Action Taken Report be sent to it within 4 weeks from the date of receipt of the letter.
Mishra said the practice of ostracism, social boycott, Kangaroo Court and witch hunt like social evils continue in the state of Odisha and the efforts of the State Government’s mechanisms have turned into fiasco in wiping out these inhumane practices.
