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Hindustan Times

‘Misinterpreted,’ says Bengal transport minister as Guv, CM not in VIP list of people who can use beacons “The chief minister, Governor and other dignitaries are above this list... the notification is being misinterpreted,” the minister said. The government on Friday issued a fresh list of VIPs and officials who are eligible to use beacons lights atop their vehicles. However, missing from the new list are dignitaries such as the state’s chief minister, the Governor, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta high court and the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, among others. “The chief minister, Governor and other dignitaries are above this list. This list only defines who are in emergency and disaster management duties. CM, Governor, Chief Justice will also have a red beacon light. The notification is being misinterpreted,” Firhad Hakim, state transport minister told the media. A senior official of the state transport department said that the new list was issued to check the misuse of beacons. This comes days after the police detected a few cases wherein imposters were found to have been using beacons. In June, the Police busted a fake vaccination racket being run by a man who was masquerading as an IAS officer. Thereafter, a few others were arrested for illegally using beacon lights. The new list of VIPs of those who can use beacon lights atop their vehicle include ministers, the chief secretary, the director-general of police and fire brigade, municipal commissioners, superintendents of police and district magistrates, among others. “The state government is hereby pleased to notify… the general public that the vehicles of the following authorities, while on duty, are designated for the emergency and disaster management duties and are allowed to use the light on top of their vehicle in the state,” the notification read. A senior official of the state transport department also said that the notification didn’t specify which colour of beacon lights the dignitaries would use. “This government does not believe in rule of law. The NHRC report has also pointed out this fact and has said that it is the Law of the Ruler that exists in the state. The officers know this and act in a similar manner,” said Samik Bhattacharya, BJP spokesperson. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/misinterpreted-says-bengal-transport- minister-as-guv-cm-not-in-vip-list-of-people-who-can-use-beacons- 101627151477628.html

HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Hindustan Times After NHRC report on Bengal poll violence, 2 held for BJP worker’s murder BJP supporter Abhijit Sarkar was allegedly assaulted and strangled with a cable television wire by a mob shortly after the assembly poll results were announced on May 2. JUL 25, 2021 07:44 AM IST The Kolkata Police on Saturday arrested two men for allegedly murdering (BJP) worker Abhijit Sarkar in the city’s Narkeldanga area shortly after the assembly poll results were announced on May 2, police said. The arrests were made two days after the Calcutta high court’s five-judge bench headed by acting chief justice Rajesh Bindal said the West Bengal government had failed to properly investigate complaints of violence lodged after the May-April assembly elections. “The proceedings have become adversarial because the state has failed to properly investigate,” the bench said on July 22 while hearing public interest litigations relating to post-poll violence. The accused Sanjay Dey, 26, and Avijit Dey, 25, are residents of Mahesh Barick Lane in Narkeldanga but were hiding in a relative’s house at Chandannagar in Hooghly district from where they were arrested, said joint commissioner of Kolkata police (crime) Murlidhar Sharma. “With this, seven of the eight people named in the first information report (FIR) have been arrested,” said Sharma. Sarkar was allegedly assaulted and strangled with a cable television wire by a mob. The BJP, the state’s main opposition party, which won 77 assembly seats against 213 by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) in the assembly polls held earlier this year, has alleged that more than 30 of its supporters have been killed till this week and hundreds attacked. It has also alleged that many women have been raped and assaulted. Abhijit Sarkar’s murder figured prominently in the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) report that was submitted before the Calcutta high court on July 13. The five-judge bench had asked the NHRC to probe the allegations of post- poll violence. BJP leader and advocate Priyanka Tibrewal, who is representing many victims of the alleged violence, filed an affidavit seeking DNA test to identify Sarkar’s body which was lying in a city morgue. The court ordered that a DNA test has to be done by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory. The bench had earlier ordered a fresh autopsy of the body at the army’s Command Hospital in Kolkata. The victim’s brother, Biswajit Sarkar, is among the petitioners who HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms. moved the Supreme Court in May seeking formation of a special investigation team for probing allegations of violence by TMC workers. Tibrewal told the court on July 13 that members of Sarkar’s family could not identify the body before the autopsy at Command Hospital. The court said that DNA samples from the corpse should be matched with the DNA of the victim’s brother. Representing the state, advocate general Kishor Dutta accused Sarkar’s family of not cooperating with the police. He said several attempts were made to record their statements. On June 21, the five-judge bench of acting chief justice Bindal and justices IP Mukerji, Harish Tandon, Soumen Sen and Subrata Talukdar dismissed a petition seeking recall of its June 18 order that asked the NHRC to probe allegations of human rights violation during the alleged violence. Dismissing the state’s plea for recall, justice Bindal observed that the conduct of the state did not inspire confidence of the court. In its report, the NHRC panel slammed the state government saying the violence “shows a pernicious politico-bureaucratic-criminal nexus”. It even recommended a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violence and said trials should be conducted outside Bengal. The NHRC report said at least 1,934 police complaints were lodged between May 2 and June 20. These included 29 murder charges, 12 complaints relating to rape and sexual assault and 940 complaints of loot and arson. The report said that out of the 9,304 people named as accused, less than 3% are currently in jail. “The situation in the state of West Bengal is a manifestation of the law of ruler, instead of rule of law...This was retributive violence by supporters of the ruling party against supporters of the main opposition party,” the report said. The court has directed the government to file its reply on the NHRC report by July 26. The matter will be heard again on July 28. Bengal chief minister dismissed the NHRC report, calling it distorted. “How many commissions and central agencies did the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) send to (BJP-ruled) Uttar Pradesh?” she said last week. She also said that the violence took place between May 2 and May 5, the day she took oath. https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/after-nhrc-report-on-bengal-poll- violence-2-held-for-bjp-worker-s-murder-101627179261283.html

NEW KERALA, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

New Kerala NHRC directs Delhi govt, Centre to ensure basic human rights of people at INA Market New Delhi, July 24: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT Delhi, Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Land and Development Office, Government of India, DG, CPWD, and Delhi Commissioner of Police to take appropriate action in a co-ordinated way to ensure basic human rights of the civilians at INA Market, Delhi within six months and submit the final action taken report for further consideration of the Commission. Acting on the petition and submissions filed by noted human rights activist and the Supreme Court lawyer, Radhakanta Tripathy, the NHRC passed a series of directives after investigating the case twice. The NHRC in its order also stated, "The Commission also wish to bring on record that the complainant, Radhakant Tripathy, who is a wellrecognized human rights defender and has been taking up multiple issues concerning violation of human rights with the Commission from time to time. His research work and efforts in awakening, spreading as well as promoting human rights in the public at large has been duly appreciated by the Commission, has brought on record that he has been getting threatening calls from miscreants involved in the matter to the extent that now-a-days murders are being done against payment of Rs 500 and has sought for intervention of the Commission for his security and safety." The NHRC directed the Commissioner of Police, Delhi to ensure the safety and security of the complainant in the instant matter with submission of action taken report within four weeks. Tripathy, a champion of human rights, who remains an unsung hero as of now, in his petition before the NHRC, stated despite the Swachcha Bharat Mission Scheme and the existence of several apex Offices of India like the NHRC, CVC, NCDRC, Ministry of AYUSH, DDA, etc. in the nearby location of General Pool Office (GPO) Complex, INA Market, the environment and human rights aspects have not been taken care by the concerned authorities. The NHRC took note of the situation around the (INA) Market, Mohan Singh Market, erstwhile Super Bazar and the passage from INA Metro Station to especially the right of passage to pedestrians, the security risk to the women and others, the nuisance created by the liquor shop and serving of liquor openly in the area, non-existence of basic amenities, etc. in the area, Tripathy said. Over six years pendency of the issues in the NHRC and issuance of notices, directions, summons, the Commission expressed its displeasure on non-responsive behaviour of the authorities concerned with regard to steps taken for sewage, NEW KERALA, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms. drainage, cleaning, toilets, public convenience, illegal encroachments, junk dealers, illegal parking, public nuisance caused by open consumption of liquor, illegal parking and rehabilitation of jhuggi clusters, inadequate lighting in front of teh Bazari lane, condition of sanitization, check on electricity theft by junk dealers, garbage, open butchery and sale of open meat unabated sale of contaminated and unhygienic food, etc. "From the perusal of these reports/communications, it is evident that authorities are passing onus to one another for taking the requisite action in the matter whereas ground reality is that situation in and around INA complex has not been improved till date," Tripathy said. Earlier the adamant attitude of the State Authorities compelled the NHRC to request the Lieutenant Governor, Delhi, to intimate the steps are taken to sensitize the Officers of DDA for refusing the summons of the Commission on flimsy ground, he said. The practice of shifting the onus to other authorities for taking an action has down the line deteriorated the conditions, in and around the site in issue, with no hope of coming to any solution even in days to come, the NHRC observed. Pertinent to mention here at least thirty-two officials from Delhi Government have appeared personally during the pendency of the case. The NHRC observed that these cases are pending for want of requisite action from the authorities concerned since 2014. The Commission makes it clear that if the ground situation in an area concerned does not improve within the stipulated period, the Commission will reopen the case for necessary action against the authorities liable for adopting delaying tactics which may include recommendation of initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the responsible official. https://www.newkerala.com/news/2021/104464.htm

REPUBLIC WORLD, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Republic world NHRC Orders Delhi Govt Officials To Secure Basic Human Rights Of INA Market Civilians NHRC has directed the Delhi government and other local officials of INA Market to take necessary actions to ensure civilians' basic human rights. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the Delhi government on Saturday to take necessary actions to ensure the basic human rights of the civilians at the INA market, Delhi within six months. NHRC directed the Chief Secretary, Government of NCT Delhi, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Land & Development Office, Government of India, DG, CPWD, and Delhi Commissioner of Police to submit the final action taken report for further consideration. Radhakant Tripathy filed a petition for the Human Rights of INA market civilians The petition was filed by the noted human rights activist and Supreme Court Lawyer, Radhakant Tripathy. In his petition, Tripathy stated that despite the Swachcha Bharat Mission Scheme and the existence of several apex Offices of India like the NHRC, CVC, NCDRC, Ministry of AYUSH, DDA, etc. in the nearby location of INA Market, the human rights have not been taken care by the authorities. The NHRC acted on the petition and passed a series of directives after investigating the case twice. The Commission also directed the DCP to ensure the safety and security of the complainant instantly with submission of action taken report within four weeks. In addition to this order, NHRC also stated that, "The commission also wishe to bring on record that the complainant, Radhakant Tripathy, who is a well-recognised human rights defender and has benen taken up multiple issues concerning violation of human rights with the Commission from time to time. His research work and efforts in awakening, spreading as well as promoting human rights in the public at large has been duly appreciated by the Commission, has brought on record that he has been getting threatening calls from miscreants involved in the matter to the extent that now-a-days murders are being done against the payment of Rs.500 and has sought for intervention of the Commission for his security and safety." NHRC took note of nearby markets Tripathy, further stated that the NHRC has taken note of the INA Market, Mohan Singh Market, Super Bazar, and the metro station after filing the petition. The Commission expressed its displeasure on the non-responsive behaviour of the local authorities. It stated that steps have not been taken in the areas for sewage, drainage, cleaning, toilets, public convenience, illegal encroachments, junk dealers, illegal parking, inadequate lightning and many other issues. NHRC observed that are these cases are pending for requisite action from the concerned authorities since 2014. The Commission warned the authorities that if the ground situation of these areas will not improve in the given period of time, then it will reopen the case filed in 2014 and take the necessary actions against the authorities. REPUBLIC WORLD, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms. https://www.republicworld.com/india-news/general-news/nhrc-orders-delhi-govt- officials-to-secure-basic-human-rights-of-ina-market-civilians.html

OP INDIA, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

OpIndia Gang rape victim threatened by police in Bengal, attempt to intimidate her for registering complaint against TMC leaders, say activists The police officials from Shantiniketan visited the victim's residence on Friday and terrorised her for accusing TMC leaders of gang-raping her, Advocate Monika Arora said. A gang-rape victim in West Bengal was allegedly threatened by West Bengal police for registering a complaint against TMC leaders. Supreme Court Advocate Monika Arora alleged that a gang-rape victim from Birbhum, West Bengal, was threatened by the police officers for registering a complaint against ruling Trinamool Congress leaders, who had allegedly gang-raped her. The police officials from Shantiniketan visited the victim’s residence on Friday and terrorised her for accusing TMC leaders of gang-raping her, Advocate Monika Arora said in her tweet. The police officials allegedly warned her, saying that they would take her to the police station on Friday night in response to her accusations. Dr Shruti Mishra, a Professor at Delhi University and an activist, shared an audio clip in which the victim was heard narrating her ordeal. “Instead of providing justice to the victim woman, the police has reached to arrest the victim at 8 o’clock in the night,” said Dr Shruti Mishra in her tweet. In the audio clip shared by Dr Mishra, the victim, who is terrified, can be heard narrating her ordeal in a hushed voice. The victim says six police officials from the Shantiniketan police station had reached her house and threatened her father, saying they would take her daughter to the police station. The victim said that the police are asking her to visit the police station at 8:00 PM on Friday to inquire about the gang-rape case. The victim in the audio says she could not identify the police officers as they were not carrying their official badges. Following the horrific incident, activists Monika Arora and Dr Shruti Mishra have requested the centre and National Human Rights Commission to take cognizance of the matter and offer protection to the victim. Following the victory of Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress in West Bengal, large scale political violence ensued in the state. Horror stories of violence emerged from the state that included assault, rape, police apathy against women in West Bengal. The women had moved the Supreme Court narrating details of the horrifying crimes they were subjected to. The victims had sought SIT probe into all the incidents as well as the inaction of the police. https://www.opindia.com/2021/07/west-bengal-shantiniketan-police-gang-rape- victim-complaint-advocate-monika-arora/ HINDU, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Hindu Fr. Stan Swami’s death in judicial custody condemned More than a hundred protesters, who gathered at Vannarpet, raised slogans against the “killing” of Fr. Stan Swami Condemning the death of Rev. Fr. Stan Swami in judicial custody, members of various political parties, citizens’ forum, Christian organisations and human rights activists staged a demonstration in Palayamkottai on Saturday evening. More than a hundred protesters, who gathered at Vannarpet, raised slogans against the “killing” of Fr. Stan Swami in judicial custody and demanded international inquiry into the “murder”. The speakers at the protest said the 84-year-old Fr. Stan Swami, who was denied bail by the court even though he had been arrested for fighting for the cause of the tribals, was not even given a plastic bottle with sipper, as he was suffering from Parkinson’s. “In a merciless manner, the old man fighting for the voiceless was framed in a foisted case and put behind the bars without justice even as few fortunate people can get justice at lightning pace in the country. Even the National Human Rights Commission refused to intervene to ensure justice for him. Hence, we seek an international inquiry into the ‘killing’ of Fr. Stan Swami and the chairman of NHRC,” said the speakers at the demonstration. General secretary of Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and party MLA Abdul Samad, state president of Social Democratic Party of India Nellai Mubarak, Bishop of Palayamkottai Roman Catholic Diocese Most Rev. Fr. Antonysamy and others participated in the demonstration. https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Tiruchirapalli/fr-stan-swamis-death-in-judicial- custody-condemned/article35514733.ece

HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms.

Hindustan Times 73% develop antibody against Covid as inches closer to herd immunity Bihar could be close to a herd immunity threshold when enough people will gain immunity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus, to block most transmission as 73% population has reported prevalence of antibodies against the virus either from past infection or through vaccination. Buxar reported the highest seropositivity of 83.8%, followed by Madhubani 77.1%, Arwal 73.7%, Begusarai 72.7%, Muzaffarpur 65.3% and Purnia 65% in Bihar’s six districts sampled among 70 across 21 states in India by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) during the fourth serological survey between June 14 and July 6. Bihar reported higher seropositivity as compared to the national average of 67.6%. As many as 335 of the 400 general population sampled in 10 clusters of Buxar were found positive to coronavirus at some stage. Buxar had shot into the limelight when 82 corpses, floating in the Ganga, were fished out in May, during the peak of the second wave of the pandemic. The National Human Rights Commission had taken cognizance of it and issued notice to the Centre and the governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, seeking an action-taken report. The Patna high court (HC) had earlier on May 17 flagged inconsistency in death figures related to Buxar. The HC had expressed its displeasure over inconsistency in figures of death in Buxar, mentioned in separate affidavits filed by the state’s chief secretary and the Patna divisional commissioner. This forced the state government to undertake a verification of deaths, which culminated in the state reporting a 73% spike in Covid-19 deaths, as its death count went up by 3,951 post-verification. The state’s cumulative Covid-19 toll jumped to 9,375 on June 8, as against 5,424 reported a day earlier. The state’s Covid-19 death toll was 9,635 on Friday. Similarly, 327 of the 424 samples tested positive in Madhubani; in Arwal 303 of the 411 were positive, 303 of the 417 tested in Begusarai were positive; 264 of the 404 samples tested positive in Muzaffarpur while 265 of the 408 samples tested positive in Purnia. Muzaffarpur reported 0% seroprevalence during the first serological survey in May last year. Buxar then reported 1.25%, followed by 1% each in Arwal and Madhubani, Purnia 0.75% and Begusarai 0.25%. Arwal reported the highest seroprevalence of 26.20% during the third survey in December. Buxar was next with 26.07%, followed by Madhubani 24.5%, Muzaffarpur 21.70%, Purnia 21.01% and Begusarai 15.01%. The state’s cumulative seropositivity was 0.7% during the first survey undertaken between May 17 and 20 last year. This meant that only 17 out of the 2,400 people HINDUSTAN TIMES, Online, 25.7.2021 Page No. 0, Size:(0)cms X (0)cms. surveyed developed antibodies (immunity) against SARS-CoV-2, said an epidemiologist. The seropositivity rate in Bihar increased to 7% during the second survey between August 21 and 26 and went up to 22.41% against the national average of 24% during the third survey between December 20 and 25. ICMR director-general and secretary to the government of India, Prof Balram Bhargava, shared the findings of the fourth serological survey with Bihar’s additional chief secretary, health, Pratyaya Amrit on Friday. Around 3,000 blood samples were collected from the six districts and sent to the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai. The survey, conducted in the state between June 20 and 25, was to ascertain the prevalence of antibodies, called seroprevalence or seropositivity, against SARS-CoV-2. “A seropositivity of 73% is a good sign for Bihar. This means that only 27% people are now susceptible to contracting the virus of which some may become serious during the anticipated third wave of the pandemic,” said vice-president of the Indian Association of Public Health, Dr CM Singh, also professor and head, community and family medicine at AIIMS-Patna, and its medical superintendent. A seropositivity of over 70%-80% helps to develop herd immunity. However, since the virus is mutating very fast, there is the possibility of people getting re-infected and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour has to be followed. In case of re-infection, the symptoms will be mild in the 73% population, who have already developed antibody either by contracting the virus earlier or through vaccination,” added Dr Singh. State health officials, including those in the State Health Society, which looks after the integrated disease surveillance programme (IDSP) under the National Health Mission, chose not to respond to this reporter’s phone calls or text messages. Officials at the ICMR’s Rajendra Memorial Research Institute of Medical Sciences (RMRIMS), Patna, were also mum. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/patna-news/73-develop-antibody-against- covid-as-bihar-inches-closer-to-herd-immunity-101627139475015.html