New Delhi, Apr 15 (IANS): The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday requested the Central government to issue an advisory to the states and Union Territories to ask public servants to behave sensibly with those belonging to vulnerable sections of the society.

The commission took cognizance of a communication from one of its Special Monitors and human rights activist, Maja Daruwala, alleging that in order to effectively implement the lockdown, public servants, including police personnel, across the country tend to deal with the people, especially the ill-informed poor labourers, in a very harsh manner undermining their rights. "A response is expected at the earliest," it added.

"Allegedly, those who are illiterate and less informed, mainly the poor labourers and daily wage workers etc., are facing extreme difficulties due to shortage of food and other facilities for themselves and their families. They can be asked to stay off the streets with some degree of compassion without being cruel and abusive using excessive force," the commission stated.

Nonetheless, it also appreciated the government agencies for working sincerely to deal with the unprecedented situation and added that the Covid-19 outbreak is a tough challenge for them as well as the general public.

The commission added, "The complainant has also said that the police are doing many good things during the lockdown; chopping of a policeman's hand is unforgivable but those, among them, who are using this time to be cruel and harsh must be stopped."

The commission had recently also taken cognizance of a complaint raising the issue of alleged violation of human rights of the people suffering from mental illness during the lockdown.