NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Homes in Murshidabad, Howrah, Kolkata, North 24 Paraganas and Midnapore Districts of West Bengal and submit a report thereafter. The report is still awaited. 24) Pits Dug for Road construction left Open: Two Children Die due to Drowning in Ranpur Dist. Naykgarh, Odisha (Case No.1209/18/31/2016) 4.130 This case pertains to a complaint dated 10.01.16 alleging that mining mafia is indulging in illegal mining of stone quarries in Ranpur area of Nayagarh District in connivance with the local administration. On 09.01.2016, two children died by drowning in an open quarry in which rain water had got filled. 4.131 In response to the notice, the SP, Nayagarh, Odisha vide his communication dated 10.5.2016 informed that in this connection UD case nos. 1 & 2 dated 09.01.2016 were registered at Ranpur PS and was enquired into. The pit was dug for construction of a road in order to use its morum during the year 2014-15. The rain water got collected in the said pit and on 9.1.2016, two children namely Sipun Parida (3 years) and Shubham Parida (10 years) fell into it and died due to drowning. An unnatural death case was registered and an amount of Rs, 10,000 each was sanctioned as monetary relief to be paid to the next of kin of the deceased. He further reported that no foul play was detected on the death of the two children. The cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning. 4.132 The Commission vide proceedings dated 12.09.2017 considered the material placed on record and recommended to the Govt. of Odisha through its Chief Secretary to make payment of Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rupees One Lakh) each to the NOK of deceased Sipun Parida and Shubham Parida and submit a report within six weeks along with the proof of payment. Compliance report is awaited. 25) Rights to Live Life with dignity – Ponywallas, Palakiwalas Pithus and Similar Workers at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Holy Shrine, Katra, Jammu (Case No. 135/9/5/2014) 4.133 The Commission received a complaint dated 07.05.2015 from Dr. Yogesh Dubey on the plight of Ponywallas, Palakiwallas, Pithus and other such workers at Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine, who are leading a miserable life due to absence of any social security scheme for them by the J&K Government. The complainant alleged that due to acute poverty, boys below the age of 18 years were engaged in heavy physical work to earn a livelihood for themselves and their family resulting in deprivation of their right to education and other such avenues. Thus he sought the intervention of the Commission for justice to these poor people. 68 Annual Report 2017-2018