The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday said it has issued a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the state Director General of Police in connection with the fire incident in the children's ward of a hospital in Jhansi. 10 newborn babies have died in this incident. Describing the news of the incident as disturbing, the Commission has sought a detailed report within a week.
The Commission said that the news related to the incident is really disturbing and shows negligence. Due to which there has been a serious violation of human rights of the victims because they were under the care of a government institution.
The National Human Rights Commission said in a statement that it has taken suo motu cognizance of media reports that at least 10 newborns died in a fire in the Neonatal Care Unit (NICU) of Maharani Lakshmibai Medical College on Friday night. . The statement said that 16 children were injured in the incident, while 37 were evacuated safely.
Reportedly, police officials have confirmed that the fire was caused by a short circuit and the babies who lost their lives were in the incubator. The Human Rights Commission said that a notice has been issued to the Chief Secretary of the state and the Director General of Police and a detailed report has been sought within a week.
The report should include information regarding the substance of the FIR lodged in the case, action taken against the officials responsible for the incident, treatment being provided to the injured and compensation given (if any) to the victim's families. . The Commission said that it would also like to know what steps have been taken or proposed by the authorities to ensure that such incidents do not recur. The Uttar Pradesh government has formed a four-member committee to investigate the incident that took place on Saturday.
