Minorities Commission notice to UP and Tripura governments

National Commission for Minorities has sought a detailed report from Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary on the custodial death of 22-year-old Altaf, in Kasganj.

Altaf was picked up for questioning by the police in a case of alleged kidnapping after a 16-year-old girl went missing. The police claim that he hanged himself in the police station lockup. His family has contested the claim and alleged that he was tortured by the police.

According to Commission Chairperson Iqbal Singh Lalpura said the notice, seeking the details of the death, was issued on Thursday and the Uttar Pradesh Government has been given two weeks to respond.

Meanwhile, the commission has also sought an explanation from the Tripura Government over the recent attacks on mosques in the State. In a notice to the State government, the panel has sought information on what action has been taken against the persons who were involved in the attacks; how many persons have been arrested so far; under what Sections of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) have these persons been booked; and what preventive measures have been initiated to avoid repetition of such violence in the future.