Express News Service By

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Sambalpur District Magistrate in Odisha to see whether any temporary relief can be provided to a Dalit woman who was disrobed and forced to stand naked in front of public in Jayaghanta village under Dhama police station on September 6 last year.

In a recent decision, the NHRC asked the magistrate to examine whether relief could be provided under any welfare scheme. If so, it should be provided to her at the earliest.

The apex human rights body issued directives on a petition filed by a rights activist over the plight of the victim who has been living under threat and starvation. Her family has also been ostracised by the villagers and the state failed to address the plight of this unfortunate victim and her family. In addition to being forced to stand naked, her hair was cut, she was insulted and beaten black and blue by the villagers. The woman, Subidha Buda, was threatened of dire consequences. She along with her son, a class V student and her daughter, both minors, left the village and took shelter at her elder daughter’s house.

In the meantime, the house of the victim has been demolished by some miscreants. This trauma of a BPL Dalit family could not be understood by the state administration till date, the activist alleged.