New Delhi, Aug 30 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Friday issued notice to the Bihar government over an assault by upper caste men on Dalits for unfurling the national flag on Independence Day. The attack left one dead.

Taking suo motu cognizance of a media report, the commission has sought a reply from the state's chief secretary and director general of police within four weeks.

Citing the report, NHRC said: "On Aug 15, a Dalit man was stoned to death and at least 40 others, including women and children, were seriously injured when they tried to unfurl the national flag at the site of a temple against the alleged diktat by upper caste men in Dandwa Baddi village, district Rohtas, Bihar."

"The media report, if true, raises a serious issue of violation of human rights of the weaker sections of the society," it added.