Farmers Protest: NHRC Issues Notice To Four States Citing Adverse Impact On Industries, Transportation; Seeks Action Taken Report

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notice to four states, calling upon them to submit their respective Action Taken Reports with regard to the adverse impact of the farmers protest on transportation and on industrial units.

The Commission has acted on several complaints received by it regarding the ongoing farmer's protest.

"There are allegations of adverse impact on the industrial units, seriously effecting more than 9000 micro, medium, and large companies. Allegedly, transportation is also adversely impacted, causing the commuters, patients, physically challenged people and senior citizens to suffer due to the heavy congestion on roads.

Since the agitation involves the issue of human rights whereas the right to agitate in a peaceful manner is also to be respected. The Commission needs to take care of various human rights issues", it has said.

Accordingly, the Commission has issued notices to the States of Uttar Pradesh., Haryana, Rajasthan and Delhi, through their Chief Secretaries. Notices are also issued to Delhi's Commissioner of Police and DGPs of the three states, calling upon them to submit their respective Action Taken Reports.

The Commission has taken note of various reports claiming that people have to travel long distances to reach their destinations due barricading of borders amid the ongoing farmers' agitation.

Breach of the corona protocols by the agitating farmers at the protest site, not allowing inhabitants to move out of their houses due to the blockades, are also some other reasons that the commission has taken into consideration.

Besides, the Commission has also directed the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG)  to examine the adverse impact of the farmers' agitation on industrial and commercial activities/ production and disruption of transport services on commercial and normal consumers including inconvenience and additional expenditure, etc. The IEG has thus been asked to submit a comprehensive report by October 10, 2021.

The National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Health, Government of India, have been asked to submit reports with respect to the adverse impact of farmers agitation on various aspects and observance of COVID Protocols at the protests sites.

Moreover, the Delhi School of Social Work, University of Delhi is requested to depute teams to conduct a survey and submit the report assessing the disruption of livelihood, lives of people, impact on the aged and infirm persons due to protracted agitation by farmers.

With reference to the alleged gang rape of human rights activist at the protest site, noting that no report was received from the DM, Jhajjar regarding the payment of compensation to the NOK of the deceased, a fresh reminder has been issued to the DM, Jhajjar, to file a report by October 10, 2021.