What Actions is NHRC Taking Following the Tragic Bus Incident in Rajasthan?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- NHRC's response: The NHRC is actively investigating the bus fire incident.
- Human rights implications: The incident raises serious concerns about the safety of labourers.
- Importance of accountability: Local authorities have been called to report on the situation.
- Separate case: NHRC is also looking into a lift malfunction at a hospital in Jammu.
- Need for regulations: This incident highlights the need for better safety measures in public transport.
New Delhi, Nov 17 (NationPress) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has initiated suo motu cognizance based on a media report regarding a private bus that was transporting over 50 labourers in Rajasthan. The bus tragically caught fire after coming into contact with an overhead 11 KV power cable, leading to the deaths of two individuals and injuring ten others.
The unfortunate event occurred near Manoharpur village along the Jaipur-Delhi highway on October 29. The labourers were making their way from the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh to a brick kiln located in Rajasthan.
The NHRC has stated that if the allegations in the media report are accurate, they pose significant concerns regarding the violation of human rights of the affected individuals. Subsequently, the Commission has issued notices to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police in Rajasthan, requesting a comprehensive report on the situation within two weeks.
According to the media report, released on October 29, the bus was navigating an internal road near the village when the incident unfolded.
Household items and gas cylinders placed on the roof of the overcrowded bus made contact with the live wire.
In an unrelated case, the NHRC also took suo motu cognizance of a report indicating negligence by the authorities regarding the lift maintenance at a Super Speciality Hospital in Jammu, which led to the death of a 58-year-old woman.
Reportedly, the hospital lift began moving upwards uncontrollably at high speed when she entered, causing her severe injuries.
The Commission noted that if the details of the report are accurate, they raise serious human rights violation concerns for the victim. Consequently, notices have been dispatched to the Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police for the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, demanding a thorough report within two weeks.
As per the media report dated November 6, it took approximately 15 minutes to rescue her from the malfunctioning lift.
Relatives of the victim have cited the hospital's negligence, claiming that there was no lift operator or security personnel on site at the time. Additionally, they alleged a lack of warning signs regarding the technical issues with the malfunctioning lift.
The victim fought for her life in the ICU for five days before unfortunately succumbing to her injuries.