Cortiplaints before the Commission 1. -Mrs. P. Lai Joseph, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, regarding harassment, torture and an attack on Christians by one Vijay Singh; 2. Dr. J.J. Bennett concerning attacks on Christians by activists of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal in Gujarat; 3. Shri Samsom C. Christian, concerning acts of religious Intolerance by certain groups inAhmedabad, Gujarat; 4. Shri P.P.Joseph alleging attacks on Christian minorities by VHP and Bajrang Dal activists in Gujarat; 5. Shri Samsom C. Christian alleging attacks on some churches of South Gujarat. 6. In addition, suo motu cognizance was taken on reports covering the alleged kidnapping and mistreatment of a nun working in Bihar. Gready concerned by these developments, the Commission was in frequent touch with the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of the concerned States. However, as instances of violence directed against the members of the Christian community continued to be reported in the press, the Commission set in process a comprehensive review of the arrangements required to fully protect the rights of the community in all States of the country. The steps taken would be covered in greater detail in the next Annual Report of the Commission. Facilities for foreign nationals detained at Lampur Seva Sadan: Delhi (Case No. 693/30/97-98) While considering the petition concerning the possible deportation of Shri Rongthong Kuenley Dorji, it came to the notice of the Commission that he had been detained at Lampur Seva Sadan, an institution for rehabilitadon of beggars, administered by the Social Welfare Department of the Government of the NCT of Delhi. On 24 May 1999, the Commission directed the Director General (Investigadon) [DG(I)] of the Commission to visit Lampur Seva Sadan to make an assessment of the conditions prevailing therein. After his visit to Lampur Seva Sadan, the DG(I) submitted his report in which he stated that the foreigners were confined to a few barracks in one segregated comer of the campus, with a compound wall and a gate. Security was being provided by a secdon of the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary. After considering the report, the Commission recommended that separate enclosures be created for foreign nationals and that the Government of the NCT of Delhi undertake immediate repairs and take the following steps to improve the arrangements; i. Replace the asbestos sheets roofing Avith roofing made up of some other material that would not be harmful to inmates. ii. Post adequate number of conservancy staff immediately for the cleanliness of the area and for the maintenance of the toilets/bathrooms. iii. Make separate cooking arrangements for the foreigners instead of supplying them food from the beggars home, as that might hurt their sendments and sense ofdignity. 135

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