CUTTACK: Odisha Human Rights commission has directed Chairman of Railway Board to pay a compensation of Rs 25,000 to the differently-abled person who was assaulted by personnel of railway protection force(RPF) at Balasore station in January.The commission has directed the Railways to provide the compensation amount to the victim Suresh Rao(25) within three months and submit a compliance report before it by October 30. The commission has also lashed out at the Railways for manhandling and assaulting the differently abled person at Balasore railway station.The order came in response to a petition filed by human rights campaigner Prabir Das seeking justice for the victim.As per the petition, Suresh, a resident of Chanmari village in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, had boarded Trivandrum-Guwahati Express on January 3 for begging. But suddenly a passenger complained that Suresh had stolen his mobile phone. Suspecting him a thief, two RPF personnel dragged out Suresh at Balasore railway station and beat him mercilessly in full public view.The two RPF personnel even broke the crutches of Suresh, which were the only means of his movement.Taking note of the petition, OHRC had sought a report from IG security commissioner RPF, South Eastern Railway zone and SP, Railway Cuttack. While RPF authorities had cited in their report that the two erring personnel were arrested and placed under suspension.The commission, however, observed that the suspension cannot act as a balm to heal the wound of the victim who has undergone trauma.The commission also cited in the order that if the victim had stolen the mobile phone then action should have been initiated against him as per law. Beating the victim in such a brutal manner is clear violation of his human rights and hence the Railways should award compensation to him.

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