Question : NHRC REPORT ON NANDIGRAM

(a) whether the National Human Rights Commission has asked the Government of West Bengal to report on the ground situation in the State with regard to the current violence in Nandigram;

(b) if so, whether the State Government has submitted its report to NHRC;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Commission has found human rights violation in the State;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) the action being taken by NHRC on such reports so far; and

(g) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to check violation of human rights in the State?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a): Taking cognizance of complaints about the volatile conditions prevailing in and around Nandigram in West Bengal, the Commission on 12.11.2007 issued notice to the Chief Secretary, Government of West Bengal to submit a factual report within 10 days.

(b): As per available information, the above report called for from the Govt. of West Bengal has not been received by NHRC.

(c) to (f): Do not arise.

(g): As per the Constitution, ‘police’ and ‘prison’ are State subjects and it is primarily the responsibility of the State Government to maintain law and order in their States. However, the Government of India has set up a National Human Rights Commission in October, 1993 under the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, to deal with complaints of human rights violations. The NHRC has also been sending various guidelines/recommendations/advisories to all State /UT Governments etc. concerning human rights issues from time to time. Besides, some of the State Governments have also set up Human Rights Commissions to deal with complaints of human rights violations.