Drug sales, liquor shops, bad roads: Chandigarh residents raise grievances at human rights hearing

An open public hearing on human rights and civic grievances was organised at the Sector 43 Community Centre, bringing residents and officials of various Chandigarh Administration departments together to discuss issues affecting the southern sectors.

The event was organised by Human Rights Council India (HRCI) and co-hosted by the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) and the Chandigarh UT Human Rights Commission. Residents from Ward 23 and Sectors 34, 35 and 43 attended the session in large numbers.

Padma Shri Jatinder Singh Shanty, Member, PSHRC, was the chief guest. Officials from various UT Administration departments were present to hear complaints and explore their resolution through the respective departments.

Among the prominent issues raised by residents were drug sales by roadside vendors, late-night opening of liquor shops, poor road conditions, traffic congestion and transportation-related problems.

Councillor Prem Lata also raised the issue of alleged drug sales in the southern sectors, calling for greater action against the menace.

Officials present at the hearing included representatives from the Chandigarh Administration, including the ADC to the Deputy Commissioner, SP City, ADC to SDM South, Health Department, Forest Department, UT Protocol and District Transport Office.

Prominent human rights advocate Rajvinder Singh Bains delivered the keynote address on alleged violations of human rights by government authorities and agencies. He referred to cases, including the Jaswant Singh Khalra case and alleged fake encounters while highlighting the importance of protecting fundamental rights.

During the event, 25 members of RWAs and other organisations were honoured for their contributions, including veteran filmmaker and writer Prof PS Nirola.

Jatinder Singh Shanty, along with HRCI president Aarti Rajput, Amarjeet Singh Virk and other members, also launched a campaign against drug abuse and issued a joint statement advocating the protection of fundamental human rights in Chandigarh and Punjab.

Shanty heard the grievances raised by residents and assured them that efforts would be made to have the issues resolved through the concerned authorities.