BETTIAH, July 3 -- Taking cognizance of a complaint about a large chunk of villagers compelled to cross Sikarahana river by boat or chachari bridge, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday served a notice, directing the Bihar chief secretary to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit 'Action Taken Report' within two weeks for the perusal of Commission. The development came after a human rights activist and former chairperson of Child Welfare Committee Aditya Kumar approached NHRC on June 30, seeking its intervention to bring an end to human rights violation owing to the absence of a bridge at Jawaharpur Ghat in Lauriya block of West Champaran. On July 2, Hindustan Times had reported how the villagers of eight panchayats including students regularly undertook risky journey on boat to reach their destination. The bench of NHRC, presided over by Priyank Kanoongo, a member, has taken cognizance u/s 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, in the matter. "The Registry is directed to issue a notice to the Chief Secretary, government of Bihar, Patna, with directions to get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into and to submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks for perusal of the Commission," reads the notice, undersigned by Brijvir Singh assistant registrar (law). Located around 32 km north of the district headquarters Bettiah and just 6 km from the Lauriya block headquarters, the villages here, with a population of over 40,000, have long demanded a bridge across the Sikarahana at Jawaharpur. However, successive governments have shown little interest. The only way to cross is by waterway-often dangerous, especially during monsoons when the river swells and road connectivity collapses. Local member of parliament (MP) Sunil Mahato could not be contacted for comment....