Violence a human rights issue: NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Monday sought a report from the state government on the violence by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) against north Indian migrants.

Viewing it as a serious human rights violation, the Commission headed by Justice S Rajendra Babu issued a notice to the state chief secretary asking him to submit the report within four weeks.

The Commission took cognisance of a February 14 report published in an English daily, which said that MNS workers beat up a man fleeing Nashik with his family. The report alleged that a large number of migrant workers from Bihar had to flee due to terror and violence by MNS activists.

Sanjiv Singh, a migrant worker who had fled Nashik with his family, had alleged that his family members and he were attacked and women molested by MNS workers. They were asked to leave Maharashtra or face the consequences, the report said, quoting another person — Rehman Bhai — who too was allegedly threatened by them. The victims alleged police inaction.

Earlier, Lucknow-based advocate Arvind Kumar Shukla had filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court seeking de-recognition of the Raj Thackeray-led MNS. Refusing to grant urgent hearing, the court has fixed February 22 for the hearing.

The Samajwadi Party has approached the Election Commission demanding immediate de-recognition of MNS.