NHRC takes suo-motu cognizance of terrorist killings of Kashmiri Pandits -- Government of India and J&K Government asked to report
The National Human Rights Commission has called upon the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India and the Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu & Kashmir to furnish the Commission with factual reports regarding the killing of 24 Kashmiri Pandits in the State of Jammu & Kashmir.
In its Proceedings dated 26 March 2003, the Commission observed that it had followed media reports on the outrageous terrorist attack that had occurred on 24 March 2003 in Nadimarg, claiming the lives of 24 Kashmiri Pandits including 11 women and 2 children, with the deepest anguish and concern.
Once again, the Commission stated, an unspeakable act of violence that had taken innocent lives, testimony to the depravity of those who engaged in terrorist acts. The Commission unequivocally condemned such acts and their perpetrators, as they were deeply hostile to human rights – including the most fundamental of all human rights – the right to life itself. This attack was doubly reprehensible, as it had taken place at a time when fresh efforts were underway to bring peace and reconciliation to the state of Jammu & Kashmir, objectives to which the terrorists were fundamentally opposed.
The Commission noted that media reports had indicated that the victims were murdered despite the presence of a police picket in the vicinity of the seen of the attack. The Commission thus called upon the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu & Kashmir to provide it with factual reports, within one week, on the tragedy that occurred. The reports should also indicate, inter-alia, such measures as may have been taken, or are planned to be taken, to enhance the security of the affected community and to ameliorate the suffering of the families of those who have been killed or traumatized.
In addition, a petition dated 25 March 2003 was received by the Commission in respect of this tragic incident from the Kashmiri Samiti. A copy of that petition was also transmitted to the concerned authorities for their consideration in preparing the reports received by the Commission.
In its Proceedings dated 26 March 2003, the Commission observed that it had followed media reports on the outrageous terrorist attack that had occurred on 24 March 2003 in Nadimarg, claiming the lives of 24 Kashmiri Pandits including 11 women and 2 children, with the deepest anguish and concern.
Once again, the Commission stated, an unspeakable act of violence that had taken innocent lives, testimony to the depravity of those who engaged in terrorist acts. The Commission unequivocally condemned such acts and their perpetrators, as they were deeply hostile to human rights – including the most fundamental of all human rights – the right to life itself. This attack was doubly reprehensible, as it had taken place at a time when fresh efforts were underway to bring peace and reconciliation to the state of Jammu & Kashmir, objectives to which the terrorists were fundamentally opposed.
The Commission noted that media reports had indicated that the victims were murdered despite the presence of a police picket in the vicinity of the seen of the attack. The Commission thus called upon the Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu & Kashmir to provide it with factual reports, within one week, on the tragedy that occurred. The reports should also indicate, inter-alia, such measures as may have been taken, or are planned to be taken, to enhance the security of the affected community and to ameliorate the suffering of the families of those who have been killed or traumatized.
In addition, a petition dated 25 March 2003 was received by the Commission in respect of this tragic incident from the Kashmiri Samiti. A copy of that petition was also transmitted to the concerned authorities for their consideration in preparing the reports received by the Commission.