NHRC seeks report from Assam government within four weeks

GUWAHATI: Following reports in the media on the hooch tragedy which has claimed 154 lives so far, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday took suo motu cognizance of the case and asked the Assam government to file a detailed report on the matter within four weeks. Asking the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to take immediate steps across the country to prevent such incidents from happening again, NHRC has also sought a reply from the Union home secretary in this regard within four weeks.
NHRC, in a notice issued to the Assam government, stated, "The chief secretary of Assam government is asked to file within four weeks a detailed report on the matter, stating what action has been taken against the officials, relief and rehabilitation provided to the victims and their family members, along with status of the medical treatment being provided to those who are still fighting for their lives in the hospitals."

Coming down heavily on the state government, NHRC stated that though it had expressed concern following deaths after consuming illicit liquor in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, the Assam government failed to take preventive measures and stringent action against errant officials.

"It appears that consumption of spurious, illicit liquor is not a problem restricted to one or two states - rather it has become a serious issue at the national level. Though there is an existing law to deal with this crisis, it seems that there is a need to sensitize police and excise authorities in the states to make them more active and vigilant to ensure that precious human lives are not lost. An effective mechanism is required to curb the unlawful network of spurious liquor manufacturers and distributors who are playing with the lives of the innocent people," NHRC observed.

NHRC also asked the Union home secretary to take immediate measures across the country to prevent such incidents in the future. "The Commission also expects the Union home secretary to issue necessary directives to all the Directors General of Police (DGP) in the country, calling upon them to look into the matter personally and issue relevant guidelines to enhance police patrolling and vigilance in the affected areas of every states and take strict legal action against the culprits," the rights body said.

"Response from the Union home secretary is expected within four weeks," it further stated, adding that special teams should be set up at the district level, if necessary, to clamp down on culprits in an effective manner.