New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Chief Secretaries of the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh calling for a detailed report in a matter that a pregnant migrant woman, who walked on foot from Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh and delivered her baby on road, officials said on Thursday.
According to sources, The NHRC has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports of a pregnant migrant woman, who walked on foot from Maharashtra to Madhya Pradesh and delivered her baby on road.
According to the media reports, on May 12 the woman experienced labour pain during the journey and the delivery took place en route. The husband of the woman has reportedly, stated that after his wife delivered the baby, they rested for two hours and then again resumed walking as they had to cover at least another 150 kilometres to reach home in Satna in Madhya Pradesh.
Following this incident, NHRC has issued a notice to the Chief Secretaries of the states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh calling for a detailed report in the matter, within four weeks including the health status of the woman and her child and also if any relief and rehabilitation has been provided by the state authorities to the aggrieved family.
NHRC in a notice also asked about the measures being taken by both the states to ensure that the migrant labourers are not subjected to harassment and hardships during the lockdown.
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It has also enquired about actions have been initiated against the erring public servants by the state authorities for their apathy & culpable negligence for not implementing the government orders and various measures mentioned in the interstate Migrant Workmen Act, during lockdown period. In a statement issued by NHRC, sources said.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the news reports, which are replete, almost daily, with hardships being faced by the public during the countrywide lockdown, sources added.
"There are news that the migrant workers are still forced to walk thousands of kilometres to reach their homes. It is disheartening to know the plight of the migrant labourers, particularly women, children, old age people, and the pregnant women falling prey to states' apathy," the Commission said.
"A pregnant woman, who needs rest, medical checkup and special care, is not only forced to walk hundreds of kilometres but also to deliver her baby during her painful journey. This incident amounts to sheer negligence of the state authorities resulting in violation of the human rights of the victim woman. Rights to life and dignity of the poor woman have been grossly violated. It is also indignity to the motherhood," the Commission added.
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