NHRC notice to TN, Karnataka over violent protests

The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of the reports of large-scale violent protests, destruction of public and private property, worth crores of rupees, in Bengaluru by protestors against the directions of the Supreme Court of India, directing Karnataka to release water from the Cauvery River to Tamil Nadu.

NHRC, in a hard-hitting statement today has observed that it appears from the National Television channels that civil and police authorities in both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remained mere onlookers and took no advance steps to stop the hooligans indulging in such illegal acts who hindered the life and liberty of the people.

The commission also observed that the authorities should have anticipated and prepared themselves to meet the emergency situations given the sensitivity of water sharing issue faced by people of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

The police and civil authorities woke up to the situation only after the large-scale physical violence and destruction of public and private property. After the event, imposing curfew further added to the denial of Right of access to hospitals and other emergencies facilities for three days.

Taking serious exception to the violation of human rights due to the apathetic attitude of the people holding public office and their lack of accountability towards people's life and safety, the Commission has issued notices to the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Government.

The notice, which was issued through their Chief Secretaries and the Director Generals of Police, asked for reports on the number of persons injured and destruction of public and private property during these protests.

The states have to respond in a time of four weeks.     

• Cauvery Protest
• Karnataka
• Tamil Nadu
• NHRC