Rights panel issues notice to Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary, Deputy Comissioner

Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to the Himachal Pradesh chief secretary and the deputy commissioner of Mandi demanding a report in two weeks regarding the drowning of 24 students in the Beas River due to the unannounced release of water from a dam.

24 BTech students of the Vigyan Jyothi Institute of Engineering and Technology of Hyderabad drowned in a flash flood while on a trip to Himachal Pradesh on June 8.

The Himachal Pradesh government admitted that authorities had not followed the right protocol on the use of hooters and other warning signals while releasing water from the hydel project.

The National Human Rights Commission observed that it views seriously the violation of the right to life and safety of the victims.