The government of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday announced that they are going to set up full-fledged state human rights commission (SHRC). The commission will have chairperson and members. This is a move in the right direction. Various human right groups and activists for long have been demanding for setting up of the state human rights commission. In absence of SHRC, the people of Arunachal Pradesh are forced to knock the door of national human right commission (NHRC) Delhi. However, it should be noted that not everyone can afford to go to Delhi to file case at NHRC.
Especially, those hailing from the poor economic background find it very difficult. With the setting up of the SHRC, the people will be able to file case here in the state itself. This will immensely benefit the ordinary citizen. But the state government should make sure that SHRC is properly supported and are independent enough.
The constitution of commission is just a beginning. The actual work will start once the SHRC takes shape and start the work. It should not become like other bodies set up in the state which are only for the namesake. Most of these so called independent bodies are toothless and have no power in real sense. The SHRC should be properly supported by the state government. Enough funds should be made available to them. Also there should not be any political interference and the autonomy of commission should not be allowed to be compromised.