Human rights panel seeks report on rising deaths in Punjab

Amritsar, June 28

Taking cognisance of a complaint filed by a resident on the basis of a report published in The Tribune on June 6 regarding a rise in the number of deaths, the Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has asked the state to submit a report till July 6.

The action comes after a complaint was filed by 17-year-old Twishaa Sehgal with a clipping of report “Fatalities up 77% in Amritsar, but cause in 3,000 victims unknown”.

As per the report, the MC data suggested 3,749 deaths were registered in April and May, against 2,114 in the corresponding months of 2020. Of 3,749 deaths, the Covid casualties were 774. In the corresponding months last year, there were just seven Covid deaths.

The report also stated during the first wave of pandemic, the MC had conducted door-to-door screening and contact-tracing but during the second wave, no such practice was adopted. — TNS