NGOs shut for using ‘human rights’ in name

Coimbatore : Three NGOs functioning in Coimbatore are in the dock for using the term ‘human rights’ in the title of their organisations in violation of rules.

The rural police registered cases against 30 people associated with the three organisations for misleading and allegedly cheating the public, but have not arrested any of them so far. “We have started collecting information about other organisations using the term ‘human rights’ in their names,” a police official said.

Police said Centre had made an amendment in the Society Registration Act prohibiting the use of ‘human rights’ in the names of non-governmental organisations, associations and societies. The police had also instructed those with the nomenclature to remove them immediately after the amendment, reported The Times of India.

Police received several complaints that three NGOs were functioning in Thudiyalur, Karamadai and Negamam in violation of the rules.

An inquiry was ordered and action initiated against the three organisations. Thudiyalur police booked S Abdul Mazid, 50, under Sections 170 (impersonating a public servant), 420 (cheating) and under Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

Police said he was running the organisation at Senthur complex on Mettupalayam road in Thudiyalur. He had printed visiting cards, letter pads claiming he fought against human rights violations.

Similarly Karamadai police registered a case against R Chinnarasu, 37, from Karamadai and nine others for running the fake human rights organisation. He was the state secretary of the firm.

Negamam police registered an FIR against Kaliyapa Gounder, president of a human rights organisation from Panappatti. K A Sundaram Chettiyar, the secretary, Palanisamy and 17 others.

Police said the State Human Rights Commission has barred the use of the word of Human Rights by any society, non governmental organisation or association in Tamilnadu and that they should not use these terms in their name board, sign board, letter head, visiting card and in all correspondences.