Punjab Human Rights Commission to

Hoshiarpur / Daljeet Ajnoha/June 20
Padma Shri Jatinder Singh Shanty, member of the Punjab State and Union Territory Human Rights Commission, Chandigarh, said the commission will launch a special campaign in Punjab to protect human rights and curb drug abuse. The campaign aims to safeguard youth from the harms of addiction and raise public awareness. He praised the Punjab government’s ongoing “War Against Drugs” (yudh Nashian virudh)initiative as yielding positive results and said the Human Rights Commission will fully support efforts to strengthen it.
Shanty heard public grievances during open hearing camps held at the District Management Complex Hoshiarpur, and in the village Bora for Garhshankar sub‑division. He directed concerned officials to ensure prompt redressal of the complaints. He said the commission has been holding open hearing camps across districts for the past six months and, after covering all districts, has now begun holding public hearing camps at the sub‑division level.
Formation of core groups, 317 members
He said the commission has formed core groups across all districts of the state, comprising a total of 317 members. In Hoshiarpur district, 14 members will channel complaints related to various departments to the commission. According to Shanty, faster processing by the commission has increased public trust, and the body is now receiving more than 500 complaints daily.
Complaints via WhatsApp; action within seven days
Shanty said citizens can lodge complaints regarding human rights violations via WhatsApp at 9855475547. Each complaint is registered within seven days and action is initiated promptly. He assured the public that no negligence in protecting human rights will be tolerated.
Crackdown on fraudulent immigration agents
Highlighting action against agents who defraud people in the name of foreign employment, he said the commission has sought reports from the government on all registered immigration agents. He urged victims of such fraud to file written complaints so that perpetrators can be prosecuted.
Inspection of Mahilpur police station
Before reaching Hoshiarpur, Shanty inspected Mahilpur police station and found arrangements satisfactory, for which he commended the district police. Referring to an advisory issued by the commission on December 9, 2025, he said no hospital may retain a patient or a corpse on account of unpaid bills. The Punjab government has issued requisite orders in this regard, making Punjab the first state in the country to implement such a rule.
Support for last rites, mortuary boxes, safety gear for sanitation workers
He said the commission has instructed provision of assistance for last rites or burial for economically weaker and unclaimed persons. Steps have also been taken to provide mortuary boxes in rural areas and to ensure sanitation workers receive protective gear such as shoes, gloves, sanitizers, and insurance coverage.
Emergency ambulance pilot for critical patients
Shanty stressed that timely transfer of critically ill patients to hospitals is an important component of human rights protection. To that end, the commission has advised that in major cities police pilot facilities be made available for ambulances transporting critical patients when calls are made to emergency number 112, ensuring timely medical care.
Anti‑drug awareness rally in Bora
Under Shanty’s leadership, an awareness rally against drugs was also held in Bora, Garhshankar. Participants carried awareness slogans and chanted in support of a drug‑free Punjab. At the conclusion of the program, district administration and local residents presented Padma Shri Jatinder Singh Shanty with a special honor.
Officials present
The event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Nidhi Kumud Bambah, SDM Hoshiarpur Parampreet Singh, SDM Gurdshankar Sanjeev Kumar, RTO Amandeep Kaur Ghuman, SP Manpreet Shimar, Superintendent of Central Jail Harcharan Singh, District Revenue Officer Amandeep Chawla, Kanchan Deol and core group members Tarsem Singh Jassowal, Mani Gogia, Rajiv Bajaj, Gurpreet Kaur, Karam Singh, Kulwant Kaur, Vinod Ohri, Purushottam Lal Dadoch, Gurbakhsh Singh and Satish Jaunda, along with officials from various departments and representatives of social organizations.