New Delhi, 5th July, 2013

The National Human Rights Commission has taken suo-motu cognizance of a media report that a Pandit family was assaulted by a group of local people when they visited their residence in Village Chowgam, District Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir for sprinkling pesticides in their apple orchard on 19th June, 2013. They were warned to leave the area or face serious consequences if they tried to cultivate their land. Reportedly, their land has already been encroached upon.
The Commission has observed that the contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious violation of the human rights of the victims. A notice has been issued to the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir to submit a report in the matter within two weeks positively. They have also been directed to inform the Commission about the status of land of the victim in unauthorized possession and the steps taken for restoration of the same. The Commission has decided to take up the matter for hearing on 23rd July, 2013 along with case No. 91/9/11/08-09 in the Court of the Commission which Commission took up on the disputes relating to land of displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

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