Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
New Delhi, Oct 23 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports about attacks on three journalists in separate incidents in Kerala, Manipur and Tripura.
The incidents reportedly occurred in Kerala and Manipur on August 30 and Tripura on September 21.
Taking serious note of the reports, the apex human rights body has issued notices to the Director Generals of Police of the three states and sought a detailed report on the cases within two weeks.
In Tripura, a journalist was attacked by a group of miscreants armed with sticks and sharp weapons while attending a clothes distribution program organized by a political party in Hejamara area of West Tripura, according to press reports. His motorcycle was also stolen.
In Manipur, a journalist covering a flower festival in Lai village of Senapati district was attacked and shot twice with an air gun, seriously injuring him.
In Kerala, another journalist was attacked by a group of people near Mangattukavala in Thodupuzha while returning from a marriage ceremony.
Reportedly, in all three cases, the victims were admitted to hospital for treatment and FIRs were registered by the police.
Established under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the NHRC, an autonomous statutory body, embodies India’s concern for the promotion and protection of human rights. Its primary role is to protect and promote human rights, which are defined as rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of persons guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in international covenants and enforceable by courts in India. The apex human rights body has the power to take suo motu (on its own motion) action based on media reports, public knowledge or other sources, without receiving a formal complaint of human rights violations.
–IANS
PDS/VD