panel-seeks-report-on-hisar-wall-collapse-that-killed-4-children

The Haryana Human Rights Commission has taken note of the tragic death of four children in a wall collapse incident in Hisar. The panel has ordered the authorities concerned to submit detailed reports before the next hearing scheduled for October.panel seeks report on Hisar wall collapse that killed 4 children

 

The case came to the commission’s attention through a complaint filed by a human rights activist. The families of the children were migrant labourers from Uttar Pradesh working at the brick kiln..The children and some labourers were sleeping near one of the walls of the brick kiln when it collapsed on them. The commission also stated that they were living at the site in poor and unsafe conditions.

 

The commission’s bench, led by Chairperson Justice Lalit Batra and Members Kuldip Jain and Deep Bhatia, said this was a preventable tragedy. It happened because basic human needs and legal protections were not ensured. The commission called it a serious violation of human rights and held the administration responsible for failing to prevent it.

 

Dr. Puneet Arora, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, said the circumstances in the case reflected indicators of bonded labour, which is prohibited under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The commission added that the kiln owner had a moral and legal duty to provide safe housing, clean drinking water, sanitation, and secure working conditions for workers and their families.

 

This incident, the commission said, was a violation of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution (Right to Life) and of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
In its order dated July 24, the commission asked the local authorities to submit detailed reports within eight weeks. The Deputy Commissioner must report if any compensation was given to the families, while the Assistant Labour Commissioner will look into whether bonded labour was involved and take necessary action. The kiln owner must also explain the lack of safety and living arrangements at the site.

 

The next hearing is set for October 14, and all concerned officials are expected to present their reports by then.