'Climate of terror': Human rights body reveals report on Sandeshkhali violence

‘Climate of terror’: Human rights body reveals report on Sandeshkhali violence

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday flagged several human rights concerns in its enquiry report over the allegations of sexual harassment raised by the women of West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali.Â

The rights body said that the villagers of Sandeshkhali “faced assault, threats, sexual exploitation, land grabbing, and forced unpaid labour” and a “climate of terror” was created by officials who have been alleged to have worked in connivance with the accused.Â

The NHRC said its enquiry has revealed several instances of atrocities inflicted upon the victims, which “clearly demonstrate, prima facie, that there was a violation of human rights due to negligence in the prevention of such violation or abatement thereof by the public servant”.Â

At the centre of the women’s allegations was suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his aides. The women spoke up after he went into hiding before his arrest.Â

The atrocities committed by the accused “rendered the victims silent and intimidated” and the subsequent terror “created reluctance to seek justice” said the NHRC. The residents of Sandeshkhali were forced to seek a livelihood elsewhere due to the situation, it added.Â

The rights body also pointed out that there are allegations of discrimination/denial of benefits of state/central government schemes by officials in collusion with the accused. It said a climate of terror was created by the fear of reprisal, the power dynamics at play.Â

It is an urgent need to create a safe and supportive environment for the victims to “break free from the shackles of silence” and to ensure the cycle of abuse no longer exists, said NHRC.Â

The atmosphere of fear not only affects the victims but also has a negative impact on the growth and health of the children who witness the ordeals of their parents at the hands of the accused, it added.Â

“The NHRC investigation team found that there is a need to uproot the fear of these people from the hearts of the victims to enable them to live their normal lives with their families and gain the confidence to live in society with dignity and pride,” said the report.Â

The report further stated that it is the duty of the district authorities to take measures to instil confidence in the residents of the area in general and victims in particular, so that people may come forward and file their complaints.

NHRC’S RECOMMENDATIONS TO BENGAL GOVERNMENT: 

1. Reinstating trust in the rule of law and confidence in authorities.
2. Ensuring witness protection and redressal of grievances.
3. Counseling and rehabilitation of victims of sexual offences.
4. Return of the land to the legitimate owners.
5. Impartial investigation of complaints by central agencies.
6. Initiating awareness programmes.
7. Operationalisation of Nationwide Emergency Response System (NERS).
8. Vocational training and creating employment opportunities.
9. Reviving the land to make it suitable for agriculture.
10. Improving socioeconomic indicators and preparing area-specific plans.
11. Appointing Special Rapporteurs to periodically report on the situation in Sandeshkhali.
12. Investigation of cases of missing women/girls from the area of Sandeshkhali Police Station.

The NHRC had taken suo motu cognisance of the allegations being raised by the women in the village in February. The human rights body has sent its enquiry report to the Chief Secretary and West Bengal DGP (police).

It has also sought an Action Taken Report from the Chief Secretary within the next eight weeks.