The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday announced that it had decided to despatch a special team to Sandeshkhali in North 24-Parganas to probe allegations of sexual violence and land grabbing.

“Considering the gravity of the matter, the Commission has also considered it deem fit and proper to depute its team to ascertain facts by a spot-enquiry into the incidents of violence of human rights in Sandeshkhali, North 24 Parganas. The team shall be led by a Member of the Commission who shall be assisted by officers of the Commission,” reads an official release issued by Jaimini Kumar Srivastava, the spokesperson for the NHRC, here.

The commission has issued notices to the chief secretary and the director general of police in Bengal, seeking reports within four weeks on the violence in Sandeshkhali and the action taken or proposed to be taken against the perpetrators of crimes.

The commission said the reports shsould also mention steps for safety and other ameliorative measures taken or proposed to be taken to inspire confidence among the local people, including women, and compensation, if any, paid or to be paid to the victims of the violence.

The NHRC has issued the notices while taking suo motu cognisance of print and electronic media reports that in Sandeshkhali, innocent and impoverished women had been harassed and sexually assaulted by a gang of a local political person.

“It has also been reported that safety and security of the women folk as well as children and aged persons have been jeopardized. It has resulted in leaving the places of abode by the women due to torture and sexual abuse that are looming large upon them,” the NHRC said while referring to the media reports.