New Delhi, 18^th November, 2014, The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report that parents of villages in District Alwar, Rajasthan were so scared of diphtheria infection to their children that some of them are planning to move their children out of the villages.  According to the media report, out of six children who died, four had diphtheria symptoms in village Gothri.  25 children have been kept under observation for diphtheria infection at Alwar District Hospital.  Allegedly, the spread of the contagious disease is due to a major lapse in the implementation of the National Immunization Programme in the district.

          The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of human rights of the victim children.  Accordingly, a notice has been issued to the Principal Secretary, Health, Government of Rajasthan calling for a report within four weeks.