Explain starvation deaths, NHRC asks UP

New Delhi, May 7 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission Wednesday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to explain the starvation deaths and mortgaging of children by their parents in drought-hit Lalitpur district.

"A number of cases of starvation have been reported over the months and some families have sold or mortgaged their children for a small sum of money for their survival in Lalitpur," said an NHRC official.

"UP's chief secretary and Lalitpur's district magistrate have been given four weeks' time to submit a report into the allegations," he added.

The commission has also directed its Director General (Investigation) to send a team for an on-the-spot investigation.