SHRC seeks report on Pulwama killings

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 17

Taking cognisance of a petition alleging that the standard operating procedure was not followed during the encounter at Sirnoo village of Pulwama district, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday directed the government authorities to furnish a factual report about the incident.

Seven civilians were killed and over 36 persons were injured in the firing by security forces on the protesters at Sirnoo village on December 15. The protesters had thronged a site of encounter between the security forces and militants. In the gun battle, three ultras and a soldier were killed.

“A notice, along with a copy of complaint, (is being issued) to the Commissioner-Secretary, home department; J&K DGP; Pulwama DC and Pulwama SSP for submitting a factual, detailed report in the matter by or before the next date of hearing,” the SHRC said in its order on Monday.

In the petition filed by human rights activist M Ahsan Untoo, it has been alleged that the standard operating procedure was not followed during the encounter, adding that the perpetrators behind the civilian killings be brought to the book.

The petitioner has further alleged that the government forces, comprising Army, J&K Police and the CRPF, opened fire on protesters in Pulwama “with an intention to kill” as the doctors in Pulwama told the reporters that “most of the civilians had died of bullet injuries in head, neck and chest”.

“The police and security personnel fired above the waist and all the civilians killed got firearm injuries above their waist. Four civilians, who are presently battling for life (in a hospital), are having firearm injuries on different parts of their body that too above the waist,” the petition said, adding this “clearly indicates the intention of the forces to kill the protesters”.

Amnesty India for ‘independent probe’

Srinagar: Stating that a “worrying pattern of excessive use of force against civilians by security forces” is emerging in Kashmir, the human rights watchdog, Amnesty India, has called for a “full and independent probe” into the Pulwama incident. “The Pulwama killings is an unfortunate addition to a series of alleged human rights violations by security forces in J&K. The authorities must conduct a full and independent probe into the incident and those responsible must be prosecuted in a civilian court of law,” Asmita Basu, programmes director, Amnesty India, said in a statement.