New Delhi, Feb 16: The Awami National Conference has filed a petition in the National Minorities Commission against what it termed as the gross human rights violation by security agencies in Jammu and Kashmir. The party sought action against the culprits for killing innocent youth.
 “The state government and the Centre have failed to take action against trigger-happy security forces, who are going unhindered in their favourite game of trampling upon civil liberties and human rights,” ANC President Khaleda Shah said at a press conference at foreign correspondents club here this afternoon.
 She said that nine young people were killed by the security forces in January alone and the state government was a mute spectator to these atrocities. She also advocated withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). “This act has given unbridled power to the security forces,” she said.
 Cautiously welcoming the Centre’s decision to bring back youth from Pakistan Administered Kashmir (PAK), she said as a gesture the government should release those who are languishing in various prisons for years without any justification. “This will be one of the confidence building measures to stabilize the situation in the valley,” she said.
 She demanded setting up of fast track courts to try cases of human rights violations. Begum Khaleda also stated that same type of complaint has been filed in the J&K State Human Rights Commission.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 17 Feb 2010 00:00:00 IST