AMN /
The National Human Rights Commission has found 16 women, prima facie victims of rape, sexual and physical assault by the State police personnel in tribal Bastar region in Chhattisgarh.
The commission has issued show cause notices to state government to explain why it should not recommend interim monetary relief of Rs 37 lakh to them.
According to NHRC release, the commission is still awaiting recorded statement of 20 other victims of sexual violence by the security personnel. The monetary relief proposed include Rs.three lakh each to eight victims of rape, Rs. two lakh each to six victims of sexual assault and Rs. 50 thousand each to two victims of physical assault.
NHRC has observed that it is of the view that, prima-facie, human rights of the victims have been grossly violated by the security personnel in Chhattisgarh for which the State Government is vicariously liable.
NHRC has initiated suo motu proceedings on the basis of news reports regarding policemen raping women and indulging in loot in five villages of Pegdapalli, Chinnagelur, Peddagelur, Gundam and Burgicheru besides sexually harassing and assaulting more than 40 of them in Bijapur district in January last year.