NHRC seeks reply from CRPF, police on killing of woman

Issuing a notice in this regard, the Commission has asked the Latehar SP and the Director General of CRPF to submit a report to it within four weeks from the date of the receipt of its order.

"In default, the Commission may proceed to take such action as it deems proper," NHRC said in its notice issued on August 5.

The Commission took cognizance of the matter on a complaint filed by rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy.

In his complaint, Tripathy alleged that security forces gunned down Jasmintha Devi after barging into her house in Ladhi village on April 27 while she was asleep.

They, subsequently, injured one Pooran Singh by firing a bullet at him in the same village, he alleged.

"The inquest and post-mortem was not done in the case of Jasmintha Devi. No medical treatment was provided to injured Pooran Singh," Tripathy alleged and asked NHRC to investigate the matter and recommend monetary relief to the victims.

Tripathy accused security forces of frequently violating human rights of the "innocent" villagers in Latehar.

"They go about harassing and humiliating villagers, mercilessly beat them up in full public view, make them sit under the scorching sun till evening without water and food," he charged.

"There are at least 30 instances of wanton beating up of 60 people in the districts of Kharsawan and Latehar alone," he alleged.