By TC News Desk
Agartala, 19th October 2024: In a significant demonstration reflecting growing unrest over human rights violations in the state, the Sadar District Congress besieged the office of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in Shyamali Bazar here. The protest was aimed at highlighting a series of troubling incidents marked by Congress activists covering the commission’s signboard with black cloth as a symbol of mourning for the victims of alleged police brutality.
The demonstration was organized to demand the resignation of the SHRC chairman, retired Justice SC Das, with Congress leaders arguing that the commission has failed to uphold its mandate in protecting human rights. Pradesh Youth Congress President Neel Kamal Saha, who led the protest, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “Currently, crime-related incidents are escalating in the state, yet the Chief Minister is maintaining a conspicuous silence. The State Human Rights Commission is also complicit, acting as a broker for the BJP rather than defending the rights of the people,” Saha told reporters.
During the protest, a delegation from the Congress party submitted a formal memorandum to the SHRC chairperson, outlining their grievances and calling for accountability. Saha was joined by several party members, including Provincial Congress spokesperson Shahjahan Islam, who voiced his concerns about the deteriorating human rights situation. “We are witnessing a continuous deprivation of human rights in this state. Just recently, a common man lost his life due to police torture at the Manu Bazar police station,” Islam stated.
The protestors highlighted a disturbing trend of deaths in police custody, asserting that numerous individuals have suffered under police brutality in various stations over the past few years. “Children are now being adversely affected by the carnival atmosphere in Agartala city, while other grave human rights violations have also occurred in recent months,” Islam added. He criticized the SHRC for its apparent inaction, noting, “Despite these alarming reports, the commission seems to be in deep slumber. Not a single incident has been investigated, and no cases have been registered by the commission’s staff.”
In a rallying cry, the Congress workers and supporters demanded the immediate resignation of the SHRC chairman, arguing that he is not fulfilling his responsibilities despite being compensated with public funds. “His resignation is imperative; he has proven to be of no use to the people,” said one protestor, capturing the sentiments of the demonstrators.
The Sadar District Congress’s protest serves as a potent reminder of the ongoing concerns surrounding human rights in the state and the call for greater accountability from institutions meant to protect these fundamental rights.
