SHRC takes cognizance of civilian killings, asks police to furnish details

Srinagar/April 12:  State Human Rights Commission has taken cognizance of civilian killings on polling day in Kashmir and has issued a notice to Police asking it to furnish a detailed report in this regard by or before May 29 next month.
Earlier, Chairman, Centre for Peace and Protection MM Shujah had filed a complaint before the Commission against the killings of 8 civilians in Central Kashmir on 9 April. The Complainant had stated that public at large is in deep shock on the killing of unarmed civilians on the eve of elections in Srinagar Parliamentary Constituency while the media had described the day as ‘Black Day’ in democracy.
The complainant had stated that respondents including Chief Secretary, Chief Electoral Officer, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone are under constitutional obligations to protect the lives of civilians and put in place such fool proof mechanism which would not leave any room for any kind of violence and excessive use of force by police and security personnel resulting in civilian killings.
“It appears that no mob control mechanism as mandated by law was put in place and no Standard Operative Procedure were followed and the Security Forces under the control of respondents unleashed reign of terror and sprayed pellets and bullets resulting in deaths of unarmed civilians,” states the complainant.