NHRC summons Chhattisgarh govt for ‘implicating’ Sundar

Slamming Chhattisgarh government for registering FIR against Delhi University professor Archana Prasad, JNU professor Nandini Sundar and some others, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) summoned state’s Chief and Bastar, IG of Bastar to explain allegations of hostility and abuse of power against human rights defenders.

Taking suo motu cognisance of “the nationwide outcry and protest against Bastar Range IG SRP Kalluri for lodging FIR against professors of NJU and Delhi University for offences of murder, criminal trespass, conspiracy, the panel has asked state’s chief secretary and Bastar IG to appear in person before the commission on November 30 with all reports to explain the allegations made against the police and administration by human rights defenders. 

It has been alleged that Prasad and Sundar and other associate professors were being threatened by Bastar police for arresting these activists in the said FIR, the NHRC release said. 

“The reports in media over last week have alleged that Chhattisgarh police has named Prof Nandini Sundar and ten others as accused in the murder of a tribal 

Samnath Baghel in Sukma district on November 4.  It is reported that he was killed by Maoists as he had been leading a campaign against Maoists activities since April, 2016,” the NHRC said in its released. 

“It has been stated that FIR has been registered in the name of the wife of killed Baghel.”