Human rights body to set up 294 offices in state

VIJAYAWADA: The Madurai-based Human Rights Organisation (HRO) has decided to set up branches in all 294 Assembly constituencies of Andhra Pradesh, starting with Vijayawada, by the end of 2012. At present, is has an office in Hyderabad, which was set up in November 2008.Speaking to news reporters here on Saturday, C V Nagabhushanam, the organising secretary of the organisation in AP, said its mandate is to educate and empower people about their rights.Nagabhushanam said the HRO would organise human rights awareness programmes in colleges and schools. He said HRO runs a family counselling centre in Malakajgiri in Hyderabad to address family disputes. The work done by HRO there has won the apperication of people and also police officials.The HRO also organised eight blood donation camps in Hyderabad since setting up an office in Hyderabad. Another blood donation camp is scheduled to be held in August.The HRO was set up 11 years ago in Madurai by S Suresh Kannan, a human rights activist. It has 10 lakh members across Tamil Nadu.The chief advisor of the organisation is former chief justice of India P N Bhagwati.Naghabushanam said a membership drive was launched in Vijayawada on Saturday. The organisation will also set up branches in Narsaraopet, Eluru and Rajamundry in the next three days.Kanigicherla Krishna, Vijayawada organising secretary of HRO, and Penugonda Suresh, state deputy organising secretary, were present at the meeting.