New Delhi, Aug 21: The Delhi-based Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has strongly condemned the killing of unarmed protestors in police firings in the Kashmir valley and urged the government to withdraw armed forces from civilian areas.
“The policy of bullets for brickbats is inhuman and is totally unacceptable in a state that calls itself a democracy. The large number of civilian deaths due to police and armed forces action is highly deplorable,” APCR said in a statement today.
The Delhi-based civil rights group has blamed wrong policies of the government for the current wave of public anger.
“The APCR feels that the current wave of public anger is due to the misguided policies of the government and the excesses committed against the people. The people’s outrage is against the killing of innocent persons, disappearance of large number of youths, encounter killing in the name of countering terrorism, continuous presence of army and security forces in civilian areas, prolonged curfews, indiscriminate searches and crackdowns and road blockade in the name of security.”
“Had the government policy been to punish the guilty security personnel perpetrating these crimes instead of protecting them by subverting the course of justice, people in such large numbers would have not risen in the unarmed revolt to which we are a witness today,” APCR said.
Calling for resolution of Kashmir issue in a realistic manner, APCR said to begin with use of arms against unarmed civilians should be stopped.
“It is well known, the crisis in Kashmir is not new. It has its roots in the past and it needs to be resolved in a realistic manner through dialogue. To begin with, the use of force against unarmed people should stop immediately. Firing in response to stone throwing is not justified. Unconditional talks with all groups of people should be initiated.”
The APCR has urged the withdrawal of the armed forces from the civilian areas. The ongoing series of curfew, roadblocks, house raids and indiscriminate arrests should end.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 21 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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