Patiala News:Human rights violations will not be tolerated; strict action against violators: NHRC Special Monitor Bal Krishan Goel

Patiala News:Human rights violations will not be tolerated; strict action against violators: NHRC Special Monitor Bal Krishan Goel

-Directs district officials to ensure coordinated efforts to protect rights of children, elderly citizens and women

-DEO and DCPO asked to launch special campaign on ‘Good Touch-Bad Touch’; children to be made aware of helpline 112 (1098) and WCO’s film ‘Komal’

-People should remain aware of their rights and report violations, says Goel; stresses awareness about business and human rights

Special Monitor (Children and Elderly Citizens) of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Bal Krishan Goel, today held a high-level meeting with the district administration and reviewed the measures being taken to safeguard the human rights of citizens, particularly children, elderly persons and women.

Mr. Goel stressed that human rights violations would not be tolerated and strict action would be initiated against those found responsible. He directed all departments to work in close coordination and extend full cooperation to each other to ensure effective protection of the human rights of every citizen, with special attention to children, elderly persons and women.

He also emphasised the importance of making citizens aware of their rights, entitlements and the mechanisms available for reporting human rights violations. He said people should remain vigilant about violations of human rights in any form and should not hesitate to report such matters to the appropriate authorities.

Directing the District Education Officer (DEO) and District Child Protection Officer (DCPO), Mr. Goel called for a special awareness campaign in schools to educate children about ‘Good Touch and Bad Touch’ and inform them about child assistance helpline numbers 112 and 1098. He also suggested screening the Women and Child Organisation’s (WCO) awareness film ‘Komal’ among children as part of the campaign.

The Special Monitor said that the NHRC is the custodian of the Right to Life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India and is committed to ensuring that the dignity and human rights of citizens are protected.

During his visit to Patiala, Mr. Goel also inspected various institutions and facilities, including Central Jail, PDS distribution points, police stations, hospitals, CHCs and PHCs, Child Care Institutions (CCIs), Places of Safety, Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Old Age Home, government/residential schools, Observation Home, One Stop Centre and Anganwadi Centres. He reviewed the facilities being provided at these institutions and took stock of issues concerning the rights and welfare of their beneficiaries.

Mr. Goel appealed to citizens to report any violation of human rights to the National Human Rights Commission through its online portal hrcnet.nic.in, assuring that complaints would be responded to promptly by the Commission.

ADC (Urban Development) Navreet Kaur Sekhon, welcoming Mr. Goel on behalf of Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal, assured that the district administration would implement the directions of the Commission. SP City Mohit Aggarwal, on behalf of SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans, assured that Patiala Police would extend full cooperation and comply with the Commission’s directions.

The meeting was attended by Joint Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Manreet Rana, Additional Jail Superintendent Jaideep Singh, Civil Surgeon Dr. Shally Jaitly, DSP Punit Chahal, members of the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) and Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Programme Officer Pardeep Singh Gill, DEO Shalu Mehra, DCPO Shaina Kapoor, AFSO Manu Latava and other senior district officials.