Barnala: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Punjab chief secretary and the director general of police (DGP), seeking a detailed action taken report within two weeks on the police lathicharge on protesting sanitation workers in Barnala last week.Taking cognisance of a complaint alleging excessive use of force, the rights panel said the allegations, prima facie, pointed to a violation of the workers’ human rights. The complaint alleged that police used unwarranted force against sanitation workers, including women, who were peacefully protesting on Jul 22 over demands for regularisation of services, better wages and job security.A bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo directed the Punjab chief secretary and the DGP to explain the circumstances under which the lathicharge was ordered, the reasons for using force and the authority that approved it. The commission also sought a copy of the written order, if any, authorising the action.The NHRC has asked the Punjab govt to furnish details of the sanitation workers injured in the incident, the nature of their injuries and their present medical condition. It also sought information on any compensation or relief provided to the victims, FIRs or departmental proceedings initiated, and any magisterial, departmental or independent inquiry ordered into the incident.The commission further asked whether police followed the standard operating procedure governing the use of force and sought relevant records, including video footage and deployment logs. It also directed the state to outline measures taken to prevent a recurrence and safeguard the rights of sanitation workers while maintaining public order.Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, along with MPs Amar Singh, Dharamvira Gandhi and Gurjit Singh Aujla, had submitted a complaint to the NHRC on Jul 27, seeking its intervention in the matter.
