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In pursuance of the order dated 18^th June of Calcutta High Court, the committee constituted by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), rolled out an invitation to different stakeholders in West Bengal Post Poll violence case to interact with the committee members on the issues and complaints related to repercussions of the violence.

According to the invitation, Victims/Complainants, irrespective of their Caste/Creed/Religion/Gender/Ethnicity /Political affiliation etc. can meet and give their representations to committee members on 27th and 28th June. A victim can also send her/his representation via mail or can talk to a member of the committee on phone as well.

The chairperson of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Justice Arun Mishra constituted a seven-member committee on 21^st June, headed by Mr. Rajiv Jain, to visit the affected area and look into the various cases of violations of human rights, particularly in the post poll period in the State of West Bengal. In accordance with the order of the Court, the Committee has been touring affected areas of West Bengal and enquiring into veracity of complaints/allegations of victims.

West Bengal had witnessed a spell of incidents of violence following election results on May 2. The BJP and the ruling TMC blamed each other for the deaths of multiple party workers. It is alleged that 18 political activists died, sexual violence was committed against women and acts of loot, arson and destruction took place owing to the indifference of the state government. A petition was filed before the Calcutta High Court accusing the West Bengal Government and the police of inaction and even complicity in the violence, and sought rehabilitation and compensation for those displaced by the violence.

A five-judge Bench of Calcutta High Court headed by Acting Chief Justice Rajesh Bindal on June 18 ordered the chairperson of NHRC to set up a committee to look into allegations of post-poll violence while hearing a writ petition on the issue. The State government’s request to the court to recall the order was turned down on June 21.

Two separate teams of the committee arrived in the West Bengal on Thursday, June 24. The members of the team spoke to villagers of affected areas. Now the committee has rolled out its open invitation for people to come and give their representation.

The committee is ordered to file its report before the High Court on June 30.