Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MM/RD)

Mangalore, Nov 23: Custodial torture is a barbaric act. The police are not judges. Hence, they cannot declare anyone as ‘thief.’ But it is glad to know that custodial torture has decreased in the recent past, said Justice S R Nayak, president of State Human Rights Commission (SHRC).

Speaking at a press conference held at circuit house, in the city on Thursday November 22, he said that, SHRC is working well in Bangalore city. It has taken immediate actions against the illegal detaining of accused in the police stations. But it lacks manpower to work efficiently at the district level. On the other hand, political uncertainties have hindered the development of SHRC, he informed.

At the same time, he asserted that human rights’ issues involve not only police atrocities, but also include important issues like right to health, free air, garbage-free cities, right to education, good roads etc, he added.

The SHRC will do its best to open human rights units in all the districts. Meanwhile, the SHRC has taken oath to eradicate manual scavenging completely in the state. One can complain to SHRC if anybody finds this practice anywhere, he told.