Mangalore: Human Rights Commission Slams District Administration, Law Enforcement
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (TU/CN)
Mangalore, Feb 10: Karnataka State Human Rights Commission chairperson Justice S R Nayak on Tuesday February 10 alleged that governance seems to be a silent spectator as human rights violations have been occurring in Dakshina Kannada district. It would not have happened if the police department and the government had taken these matters seriously.
Addressing media persons here after inspecting human rights violation grievances, he said that a report would be submitted to the centre soon. “Government should not treat assault cases trivially. A disturbing situation is prevailing in the district. Certain parts of the city are under besieged by fear. Dakshina Kannada has become notorious at the international-level for the constant violence”, he alleged.
Justice Nayak pointed out that it is the bounden duty of the government, police department, non-governmental organizations, public, and the media, to douse the fire of violence so as to save the society.
Expressing dissatisfaction about the police department in the district, he said that he is not satisfied with the assurances given by the inspector general of police about protecting the human rights of citizens. He added that the police should trace the source of the violence and make sure that such incidents do not occur in future. “I have always been given assurances by the IGP here. I have strictly told the police that they are ruled by law, not by men. They should give moral assurances to the victims of the violence”', said Justice Nayak.
Alleging that certain vested interests had developed amongst the police personnel in the district, he said that many police officials here had not been transferred for many years.
Talking about the threat against Valentine's Day celebrations by the Sri Rama Sena, he said that the Human Rights Protection Act 1993 and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, clearly states in Article 16 that men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality, or religion, have the right to marry and found a family.
Nayak also stated that one cannot beat any person under any circumstances as per the Indian Constitution. Neither can an individual or an organization compel women to marry. “We have a written constitution. Indian culture is grounded by political civility, not by morality. India cannot be a democratic, secular, country if moral policing is allowed to continue”, he opined.
Talking of the alleged fake encounter in the district recently, he said he could not question the two police officials who were involved in the incident. Justice Nayak refused to comment on the issue of introducing media ombudsmen.
He also said that if an institution or organization makes any statement against the constitution, public policy, and interest of the country, it should be banned.