Bhubaneswar, Oct. 1: The National Human Rights Commission has sought an action taken report from the chief secretary on the alleged negligence that resulted in the death of three workers at Dhamra port in Bhadrak district on August 15.

Acting on a petition filed by human rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, the commission sought the report within four weeks.

Three labourers died on the spot and three persons were injured, when the port authorities had engaged a group of labourers to load coal and a part of a coal heap collapsed on them.

'The failure of the district administration in keeping vigil, making labourers to work on Independence Day and lack of safety and security measures amount to violation of human rights,' said petitioner Tripathy.

'This is failure of police and officials from the ministry of labour, Odisha government and the Bhadrak district administration. Negligence on part of the government authorities poses serious questions on human rights,' he added. The petitioner urged the commission to investigate the case and direct the chief secretary to act against the errant officials. He also asked the commission to pay a compensation of Rs 50 lakh, offer jobs to the family members of the deceased and rehabilitate the injured persons. He requested the human rights panel to recommend benefits of social welfare schemes and take steps in the interest of justice and protection of human rights.

Sexual assault

A headmaster of a tribal residential school managed by the state government's SC/ST development department allegedly established a physical relationship with a Class IX student, following which she conceived. The accused teacher, identified as Bidhubhusan Nayak, allegedly intimidated the girl and forced her to continue the relationship with him.