New Delhi: After a man from Punjab’s Sangrur district allegedly committed suicide over the issue of drugs in the state, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo on Tuesday called it “blatant violation of human rights” and warned the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over creating pressure on an individual for asking questions.
The victim, Gulzar Singh, had raised the issue of drug availability before Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. He allegedly consumed poison after claiming that he faced pressure and intimidation from the village sarpanch, police and others, following his public questioning of Cheema over the prevalence of “chitta” in his village. “Chitta” is a term commonly used for drugs, in his village.
Speaking to IANS, Priyank Kanoongo said: “Former Chairman of the Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes, Rajesh Bagha, had sent us a complaint stating that in a village in Sangrur, an elderly man questioned Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the government’s failure to properly control the drug problem. The man reportedly had a family member who was addicted to drugs. The Minister became angry, after which the Punjab Police allegedly mistreated and pressurised the elderly man and asked him to apologise. Members of the Aam Aadmi Party had also pressurised him…leading to his suicide.”
“The complainant also told us that before the man committed suicide, he had reportedly stated that Harpal Singh Cheema would be responsible for his death and that he was being forced to take such a step due to the pressure,” he said while referring to the incident as “serious” and “matter of lawlessness”.
The NHRC member stated that if a person is forced to commit suicide following pressure for questioning a Minister over drugs and substance abuse, “there could not be a more blatant violation of Human Rights”.
Kanoongo said that the NHRC is sending notices to the DGP, Chief Secretary, concerned SP and DM regarding the incident.
“We are seeking information on all angles of the incident,” he added.
Kanoongo further said: “Pressurising someone to an extent that he commits suicide just for asking questions, this is not the work of the government. If the government resorts to such things, we will have to take strict action.”
(IANS)
