15.6 The State of Uttar Pradesh, with the maxlmum number of custodial deaths and other human rights violations In the past years, has withdrawn Its earlier decision to constitute a State Human Rights Commission. In a recent notification, the State Governmerit said that Yhe desirability of constltutlng a State Human Rlghts Commitidon was considered extensively by the State Government and it has been decided that the constitution of an Uttar Pradesh State Human Rights Commiasion is not necessary". It will be recalled that the State had earller decided to set up such a Commission, based on suggestions made by the then Chairperson of the NHRC and the views expressed by the Allahabad High Court. Indeed, a notification had even been issued in this regard on 4 April 1996 under Section 219(1) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, 15.7 The decision d the UP Gowrnment to rescind the notifition has been contested in the courts, and the matter is at present pending before the High Court d Allahabad. The Commission appeals to the Government of Uttar Pradesh to restore the status quo ante and constitute a State Human Rights Commission at the earlisst. The Commission balieves that, in consickrring whether or not to set-up State Human Rights Commissions, the concerned Governments should be g u i e b y the view that individuals in a democracy should be helped to realize In full measure the rights conferred on them by the Constitution and have speedy m w r e e to justice when their rights are violated. The Commission therefore once again urges State Governments to estaMish Human Rights Commissions where they do not yet exist. For Ib part, the Commission will render its fullest support to such institutions once they are established. The Commission intends to pursue this matter with the State Governments. It also recommends, however, that this i m e receive the attention of the Central Government and the leadership of political parties at the highest level. 15.8 15.9 The Chief Minister of Meghalaya has informed Commission that instances of violations in his State have been very few. He has also referred to the serious financial constraints being faced by smali States in the North Eastern region and stated that the additional financial burden to set up State Human Rlghts Commissions is more than what such States can bear individually. He has therefore, concluded that it is not viable to set up a separate Human Rights Commission for each State alone. Instead, he had mquested that the possibility be examined of setting up a joint Human Rights Commbsion For all the States of North-East India, including Assam, on the pattern of the Quwahatl High Court. The Chairperson has requested the Chief Mlnlster, Meghalaya to explore the pmaibility of utilislng the services of the Chairperson of the Assarn Human Rights Commission to function also as the Chairperson of a Meghalaya Human Rlghts Commission, as has been done in the case of the Manipur Human Rights Commission. 15.10 The Commission held a meeting with the Chairpersons and Members of the State