Animal Rights Activist Tirtha Kumar Sahu moves OHRC

Tirtha Kumar Sahu, the animal rights activist who   was released on bail yesterday by the Additional District Judge, Rayagada called on the Chairman of the Odisha Human Rights Commission.  Tirtha had been in jail since the last sixteen days on grievous charges leveled against him by the Collector Rayagada. He had been subjected to third degree torture in the Rayagada P.S. and was assaulted inside the jail for which he was hospitalised.

Tirtha’s case was taken up by the Minister of Child and Women Empowerment, Ms. Maneka Gandhi who had written a very strong letter to the Chief Minister of Odisha on the role of the Collector. Surprisingly, the Government has not taken any action against the Collector even days after the matter was raised.

Tirtha Sahu has also submitted a petition to the Governor and the Chief Minister, where he has highlighted the nexus between the police and the district officials. He was accompanied by Anil Dhir, National Secretary of the Bharat Raksha Manch and Balaram Panda, Activist.  Dhir said that if the State does not take suitable action to punish those involved  in the illegal mafia cattle trade and the filing of false cases against activists,  Gau Gyan Foundation and Bharat Raksha Manch will launch a State  wide  agitation. Murali Manohar Sharma, Convever of the Manch has said that Tirtha will meet the Home Minister and the Prime Minister in the matter.

The National Human Rights Commission has already taken cognizance of the torture of Tirtha Sahu and has issued notice to the State government.