The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of media reports alleging “Rise in custodial deaths” which had triggered off protests by civilians across the Kashmir valley. It has issued notice to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of Jammu & Kashmir as well as to the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence and has asked them to report to the Commission on this matter within eight weeks. .

According to newspaper reports, one Aijaz Ahmad Kitab had been arrested and later killed in a fake encounter by the Special Operation Group of Police on 20 May 2001. The report also stated that the DGP, J&K had clarified that the victim has been listed as a militant and had later been killed in an encounter, which was not acceptable to the public. This was one instance of six controversial custodial killings reported in J&K recently. These killings had triggered of protest demonstration all across the State

The Commission had also received complaints from a resident of Mumbai, who had submitted local newspaper reports alleging other custodial deaths in Kashmir. According to these reports, one Gulzar Ahmad Ganie was taken into custody by troops and subjected to brutal torture. He was released in a critical condition and he later expired in the hospital due to the injuries sustained. One Ghulam Mohd. Bhatt was picked up for questioning by BSF personnel and tortured. This damaged his kidneys and he is now undergoing treatment. Two school students Shiraz Ahmad Khan and Syed Malik subjected to torture and later on killed and their bodies disposed off. In another two civilians who were per-force asked to neutralise a landmine planted by militants died when the mine exploded.

Taking cognizance of these serious violations of human rights the Commission has called for detailed investigation reports from the J&K Government and the Ministries of Home Affairs and Defence.