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J&K Police told to uphold human rights
Srinagar, June 29: Lauding state police for protecting national integration, Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today asked it to take utmost care in upholding human rights in the light of allegations and a few proven cases.
Srinagar, June 29: Lauding state police for protecting national integration, Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) today asked it to take utmost care in upholding human rights in the light of allegations and a few proven cases.
"The state police has done a wonderful job as was evinced by the President presenting colours to you. J&K Police is rated as the third best in the country," SHRC chairman justice A Q Parra told police officers at a panel discussion on "Human Rights and its Implications" jointly organised by state police and International Committee for Red Cross.
He, however, urged the police to be careful and follow the law while invoking Public Safety Act (PSA) and National Security Act (NSA) against suspects.
"The killings at Pathribal have been proved to be custodial killings which was further established by the DNA tests," Parra said. He said these special acts provide for detaining a person without trial for as long as two years. So, procedural norms should be followed, including to inform the accused of the charges within 5-10 days, he added.
Endorsing the PDP-Congress coalition government's healing touch policy, Parra asked the cops to shun the "bullet for bullet" attitude to ensure that human rights are not violated.
"State terrorism is no answer to terrorism. By a bullet you can kill a terrorist, not the terrorism. Use compassion to tackle the menace," he added. Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma assured that the force was serious about curbing human rights violations.
"We have to act and may be sometimes we are on the wrong side, but the efforts should be made always to protect human rights of the innocent people," he said.
ICRC consultant D K Arya, who has been delivering lectures to the state cops for the past six days, said torture and custodial deaths were reprehensible acts and were forbidden not only by the international human rights declaration but even by the Indian Constitution.
Stating that policemen should behave in a manner they would like to be treated, Arya however, dismissed foreign criticism saying human rights should be a practicable philosophy taking the ground situation into consideration. Bureau Report
He, however, urged the police to be careful and follow the law while invoking Public Safety Act (PSA) and National Security Act (NSA) against suspects.
"The killings at Pathribal have been proved to be custodial killings which was further established by the DNA tests," Parra said. He said these special acts provide for detaining a person without trial for as long as two years. So, procedural norms should be followed, including to inform the accused of the charges within 5-10 days, he added.
Endorsing the PDP-Congress coalition government's healing touch policy, Parra asked the cops to shun the "bullet for bullet" attitude to ensure that human rights are not violated.
"State terrorism is no answer to terrorism. By a bullet you can kill a terrorist, not the terrorism. Use compassion to tackle the menace," he added. Director General of Police (DGP) Gopal Sharma assured that the force was serious about curbing human rights violations.
"We have to act and may be sometimes we are on the wrong side, but the efforts should be made always to protect human rights of the innocent people," he said.
ICRC consultant D K Arya, who has been delivering lectures to the state cops for the past six days, said torture and custodial deaths were reprehensible acts and were forbidden not only by the international human rights declaration but even by the Indian Constitution.
Stating that policemen should behave in a manner they would like to be treated, Arya however, dismissed foreign criticism saying human rights should be a practicable philosophy taking the ground situation into consideration. Bureau Report