NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, INDIA c) Police High-handedness 12. Seven School girls injured in an indiscriminate lathi charge by Rajasthan Police during a peaceful demonstration in Uniara Tehsil, District Tonk, Rajasthan. (Case No. 2611/20/28/2015) i. Shri Henri Tiphagne, a Human Rights Activist, brought to the notice of the Commission that 150 school girls of Government Senior Secondary School, Uniara Tehsil, District Tonk, Rajasthan, who were demonstrating against non-availability of teachers in their school, were lathi-charged indiscriminately causing serious injuries to some girls. It was also informed that there were no women police during the lathi-charge. ii. Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, District Magistrate, Tonk, Rajasthan reported to the Commission that an enquiry in the matter was conducted by the Addl. Supdt. of Police, Malpura, which revealed that a school teacher named Birbal Meena was transferred to another school but he was unwilling to join there. He instigated the students to block the Highway. When the police force put mild force, some students fell down on the road and sustained injuries. It was also reported that the protestors caused injuries to the police party and damaged police vehicle. The SHO, P.S. Aligarh was found negligent of duties. He was placed under suspension and a departmental action was initiated against him. The SP, Tonk, also submitted a report in the matter, which revealed that seven girl and four police officials were injured in the incident. iii. While considering the reports, the Commission observed that the police, prima facie, did not follow established procedure to control and disperse the protesting school girls. Admittedly the police used excessive force without any provocation. The Commission also took note that SHO, P.S. Aligarh was found negligent in the matter causing injuries to seven girls. He was later on, placed under suspension and a departmental action was initiated against him. It will be, therefore, appropriate that the State Government should monetarily compensate the victims. The Commission accordingly issued a notice to the Government of Rajasthan to show cause as to why a sum of Rs.25,000/- as monetary relief to each victim, be not recommended u/s 18 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. In spite of the said notice, followed by reminders, the Commission no response to the show cause notice was received from the State Govt. iv. The Commission took up this matter during its camp sitting held at Jaipur on 19.01.2018. The Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan was present before the Commission at the time of hearing of the matter. He sought six weeks further time for submitting response in the matter, which was conceded with. But the Govt. of Rajasthan could not submit any response. The matter was further considered by the Commission on 18.04.2018. It was presumed that the Govt. of Rajasthan had no objection for payment of monetary compensation to the seven victims. Hence, the Commission recommended to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Rajasthan to pay an amount of Rs.25,000/- each to the seven school victim and submit the proof of payment within six weeks. ANNUAL REPORT 2018-19 47