Speaking at a press meet during his second visit to the DK district on Thursday, he requested the DC, SP and the public to bring to his notice any case of scavenging in the district. The investigative wing of the State Human Rights Commission has only an IGP (State Human Rights Commission) and without SPs and circle inspectors, the wing cannot function effectively. Moreover, a research wing must be constituted to look into the issues of social evils, he explained.

He added that much more fund must be allotted to the Commission for setting up a library, furnishing and so on.
Speaking about the jurisdiction of the Commission, he said it has taken suo motto action on issues like dumping garbage and unmotorable roads.

Issues including Right to Health, ragging, condition of SC/ST hostels and houses, toilet facilities and a wide range of issues come under its ambit, he said adding that the issue of human rights is like a vast ocean.

To a query regarding action on Mangalore-Bangalore road, he said, since the issue is in High Court, the Commission will not take up the matter. With regard to the plight of people displaced by SEZ in the district, he asked the public to give a complaint in writing and the issue will be studied in detail.

He explained that every district must have an HRC unit since conducting raids from Bangalore becomes difficult. The address of the Commission office must be put up in the notice boards of the taluk offices and police stations, he said, adding that he will participate in a convention of Western Range police officers on January 5.

The State Human Rights Commission requires 257 more staff for the judicial, administrative and investigative wing of the commission and a report in this regard has already been sent to the government.

Nevertheless, the Commission conducted raids on three police stations in Bangalore including Chandranagar, Koramangala and Halsoor on receiving complaints, he informed, adding that he is happy to note that no complaints of custodial torture or unlawful detention in custody has been received after the raids due to proper instructions to the department from the higher ups.

Itinerary

Karnataka State Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice S R Nayak will deliver a speech on human rights at the Puttur Bar Association at 10 am. He will participate as the chief guest at the inaugural function and IT competition being organised by AAPS Technosoft Pvt Ltd at 3.30 pm, and then leave for Circuit House in Mangalore. On November 24, he will hold discussions with the local leaders of various organisations at 10 am. He will participate as the chief guest in the workshop on awareness on human rights being organised by Movement for Social Life and Human Rights at 4.30 pm. He will leave for Bangalore on November 25 at 10.40 am, according to a press release.