New Delhi, 31st March 2006

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a News story carried by a TV Channel a few days ago about incidents of trading of children in Jammu & Kashmir. As per the story victims of terrorism, with a view to make both ends meet, are resorting to selling of children and for this purpose regular mandis (markets) are held in the residential areas of Jammu. The TV Channel has forwarded to the Commission a CD as well as transcript of the news story.
The Commission observed that the contents of the story, if true, raises a serious issue of human rights, in particular, the rights of child.
The Commission has directed that a copy of the transcript along with CD be transmitted to the Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir for a factual report within two weeks.
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