Human rights violation issues in Darjeeling - Geneva-based HR commission to deliver address

Prashanta Acharya, EOI, Siliguri, 10 Aug 2013: The Switzerland, Geneva-based High Commission of Human Rights has stepped forward to address any case of human rights violation amid the ongoing statehood agitation in Darjeeling. 

The Commission has expressed concern over the sufferings of innocent people and expressed its desire to send activists to Darjeeling, if necessary. 

The Darjeeling chapter of the Human Rights Protection Association (HRPA) has been working under the guidance of the Geneva office since the past few months and has started reviewing cases of human rights violation. 

HRPA Darjeeling president Andrew Gurung said, “We are not intervening on the political issues but the general people agitating for legitimate rights in a democratic and peaceful manner should not be tortured by any one. We are concerned about innocent people and will work for them.” 

In the forthcoming week, HRPA National Chairman Samim Ahmed will hold a press conference in Delhi with the national media on the Darjeeling issue. Gurung also informed association members are updating Geneva officials with every detail of the agitation. 

Members such as Purnakala Thapa and Lochan Gurung including a few others are closely monitoring cases of human rights violation in the Darjeeling Hills. They said they are working round the clock to ensure the safety of those who fall prey to unscrupulous elements. Darjeeling HRPA convener and press secretary Purnakala Thapa said, “I appeal to people to raise their voices peacefully and would like to request them to keep calm and maintain presence of mind during rallies and other demonstrations.” 

She also informed any aggrieved person can contact the HRPA office at 2nd Floor, 3/C, Kutchery Road in Darjeeling for assistance. Thapa added a large number of people are enquiring about the HRPA through social networking sites and appreciating its vision and mission.