New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) The Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) hospital here was Thursday issued a notice for leaving radioactive waste unattended and putting people's lives at risk.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it has taken suo motu cognisance of a media report alleging that radiation machines, containers of radium and cobalt needles which should be disposed off are lying unattended in the government hospital.

"This is a great threat to the lives of people of surrounding localities if there is any radioactive leak. The hospital has not made any move to clean up the mess," an NHRC statement said.

"It is apparent that the authorities have not learnt the lesson from the incident of radioactive leak at Mayapuri in Delhi and similar incidents which resulted in health hazards," the commission said.

"The commission issued notices to the secretary, ministry of health, the Delhi chief secretary, LNJP hospital director and Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) chairman calling for their reports in the matter within two weeks," it added.

The NHRC also directed its director general (investigation) to depute a team to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry and submit its report in the matter.