annual report print final.qxd - Asian Centre for Human Rights

INDIA HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2005 Chhattisgarh
The radical Left-wing armed
opposition group, also called Naxalites, are
reportedly active in eight districts out of
total sixteen districts, mainly in the tribal
areas. Many tribals have been allegedly
arrested under false cases as Naxalites.
While violence against women has
been rampant, atrocities against the Dalits
by the upper caste Hindus continued
unabated.
The condition of jails in the state
remained deplorable. K.A. Jacob,
Chairman of the State Human Rights
Commission of Chhattisgarh admitted
unbearable and sub-human condition of
Chhattisgarh jails, which were
overcrowded and infested with diseases
like tuberculosis.
II. Atrocities by security forces
While the Congress claimed that 11
custodial deaths have taken place during
June-December 2004, on 24 November
2004, state Home Minister Brijmohan
Agrawal justified his government’s human
rights record by stating that 13 custodial
deaths had taken place during the
Congress rule; but the administration took
little action. 2 The NHRC had registered 30
custodial deaths in 2000-2001 and 32 in
2001-2002.
Former Home Minister of
Chhattisgarh, Nandkumar Patel accused in
the state Assembly that Lal Sai had died in
the police custody in Budha Bagicha
village under Rajpur development block of
Sarguja district. Patel alleged that the
deceased was detained under section 151
46
of the Prohibitory Act and given third
degree torture that caused his death.
Replying to the question, state Home
Minister Agrawal however categorically
denied that Lal Sai died in police custody
and was subjected to brutal torture.
Agrawal said the police registered an
offence against Sai following a complaint
lodged by his brother’s wife for abusing
her. The minister further stated that Lal
Sai was detained on 25 April 2004 but was
released on bail on the same day. Sai was
reportedly admitted to Rajpur Government
Hospital on 11 May 2004. Agrawal further
claimed that Sai died not of police
atrocities but of ulcer. An inquiry report
submitted by the Sub-Divisional
Magistrate of Ambikapur reportedly did
not indicate any external injury mark. 3
On 6 June 2004, 21-year-old Rajesh
Yadav of Arang died in the custody of
Arang Police Station in Raipur district. He
was brought to the police station at about
12 noon for interrogation in connection
with the missing of a pregnant woman,
Sunita Sonwani. Police stated that at about
2.30 p.m. Rajesh’s brother brought meals,
which he ate. One-and-half hours later he
started vomiting and taken to a nearby
primary health centre from where he was
referred to Dr. Ambedkar Hospital, Raipur.
His condition deteriorated there and later.
Police alleged that Rajesh Yadav died of
consuming insecticide from a bottle which
he had kept with him. 4 A magisterial
inquiry was ordered. 5
On the night of 13 August 2004, a
tribal youth named Ramkumar Dhruv