Northeast, March 16: The All India Chakma Students’ Union has welcomed a recent direction issued by the National Human Rights Commission recommending a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the death of a minor Chakma girl who was allegedly employed as a live-in domestic worker in Roing in Arunachal Pradesh.
The case came to the attention of the rights body after a complaint was filed before the Commission on behalf of AICSU, raising concerns over illegal child labour, suspected human rights violations and alleged lapses in the investigation conducted by local authorities.
After examining findings from its Investigation Division, the Commission observed that the victim, a girl aged around 13, had allegedly been illegally engaged as a domestic worker in violation of the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Taking serious note of the circumstances and shortcomings in the initial probe, the NHRC recommended that the investigation into the minor’s death be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation to ensure a fair, independent and child-sensitive inquiry.
The Commission also issued a show-cause notice to the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh, asking why compensation of ₹10 lakh should not be recommended for the next of kin of the deceased child for the violation of her human rights.
Additionally, the NHRC directed the state government to initiate criminal proceedings against those responsible for the illegal employment of the minor. It also called for a departmental inquiry against officials who allegedly failed to perform their duties and stressed the need to strengthen enforcement of child protection laws and monitoring mechanisms.
Welcoming the development, AICSU said the Commission’s directions mark an important step toward ensuring justice and accountability in the case. The organisation also urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to fully comply with the NHRC’s recommendations and ensure that the investigation proceeds without delay.
