Srinagar, June 13: Terming killing of innocent civilians as barbaric, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Sunday expressed strong resentment over the killing of a student, Tufail Ahmad Matoo, in a police action in Rajouri Kadal on Friday. The Commission has directed the state government to take stringent action against the accused cops.
Taking suo-moto cognizance of Tufail’s killing, the SHRC has sought a detailed report from the Director General of Police regarding the incident, which triggered widespread protests in the city. 
“Killing of innocent people is barbaric and can’t be tolerated at any cost. Such killings including that of Tufail Ahmad, a student, is not only a grave violation of human rights but a glaring example of misuse of powers by police in the name of maintaining law and order,” the SHRC chairperson, Justice Bashir-ud-Din told Greater Kashmir.
He said in the past four to five months, many youth were killed in a similar pattern in Srinagar. “It has been observed that most of the youth were killed after being hit either by teargas canisters or bullets on their chest or head. Despite being trained to deal with extreme situations, police has been using disproportionate force to quell protests. Policemen are guided by rules and regulations by virtue of which they have to act as protectors not violators,” Bashir-ud-Din said.
He maintained that innocent killings evoked widespread public resentment across the Valley. “The unfortunate incident took place when people were yet to recover from the killings of three civilians in a fake encounter by Army in Machil. The peoples’ anger over Tufial’s killing is justified. I want to maintain that if the spree of innocent killings continues at the hands of law enforcers, the alienation against the government will aggravate and have dangerous consequences in shape of law and order problem,” he said.
 Bashir-ud-Din said the SHRC would closely monitor the investigation in Tufail case. “The government must take stringent action against the accused cops to prevent recurrence of such incidents. We will analyze the police reports about the incident and if need arises, the Commission will not desist from investigating the case itself. We are committed to provide justice to people and bring the perpetrators irrespective of rank or status to book,” he said, urging people to maintain calm.
INNOCENCE LOST
 Incidentally, Tufail is the fifth student killed the past five months in action by police and paramilitary CRPF troopers. On January 8, Inayat Khan, 16, of Dalgate was killed after the CRPF troopers fired upon him at Budshah Chowk. On January 31, Wamiq Farooq, 13, of Rainawari was killed after a teargas shell fired by police hit his head. Five days later, Zahid Farooq of Nishat was killed when BSF personnel opened indiscriminate fire on him.  On April 14, Zubair Ahmed Butt, 17, of Sopur was killed when he was forced to jump into river allegedly by police. The killings triggered Valley-wide protests and clashes in which dozens of people were injured.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 13 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
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