CHENNAI: National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday directed Chennai police to file a case under Juvenile Justice Act against people, who forced 20 children to pierce their cheeks with steel rods as part of a ritual for speedy recovery of the then ailing Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa.
In an order, NHRC asked the additional commissioner of police, (law and order), North Chennai, to register a case under sections 326/341/34/120B IPC and 23 of Juvenile Justice Act and issued a notice to the principal secretary (home), to submit a report, within four weeks, on the steps taken to stop such rituals.
NHRC’s action came after the Chennai Police acknowledged that such an incident took place on October 3, 2016 when the children were made to walk from Murugan Temple in R.K. Nagar, to Seniamman temple in Tondiarpet by supporters of AIADMK.
“The commission has observed that from the material available on record, including photographs, it is apparent that children were very small and innocent and their cheeks were forcibly pierced. A photograph reveals that the children were made to wear a cap with a photograph of Ms Jayalalithaa and with slogan written on it - “long live Amma”,” the commission noted.
It also said one girl is seen caught by some persons for the purpose of piercing her cheeks and ruled that incident is a clear case of violation of human rights of children.
The NHRC order also said Chennai police had said the children participated in the event with the approval of their parents and were not forced to do so, but also admitted that the incident was a gross violation of child rights.
