A rights activist has filed a petition with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking investigation into the killings that took place during PDP-BJP coalition government in Jammu and Kashmir.
Ahsan Untoo, chairperson International Forum for Justice and Human Rights has sought investigation into the killings that occurred in JK during four year rule of PDP-BJP.
In his petition before NHRC Untoo states: “235 civilians were killed in the PDP –BJP government. 460 militants were killed, over 1050 people were blinded, over 17000 partially blinded and injured”.
“Over 16000 people were arrested. One newspaper was banned, while all newspaper offices were raided and newspapers banned for three days. Journalist was killed. Also, over 15000 backdoor and illegal appointments made. The historical Jamia Masjid was locked while Jummat-ul-Vida prayers were disallowed for the first time,” Untoo states in his petition.
The petitioner states during PDP-BJP government headed by Mehbooba Mufti “the government remained in doldrums and unaccounted for, which ultimately encouraged the government forces to use excessive force against common civilians”, while adding that “the civilians were killed, injured, brutalized and maimed during protests which otherwise could have been handled peacefully”.
Untoo also makes a mention of “corruption” during PDP-BJP rule in the petition. “Besides, a rampant corrupt system hit all the government offices, thereby affecting the daily lives of the deserving as well as the needy,” Untoo mentions in the petition.
The petitioner has also sought NHRC to order investigation into the killings that occurred during the PDP-BJP regime and also direct State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to investigate the killings.
Untoo in his petition before the commission states government forces be directed to explain their standard operating procedure (SOP) while dealing with protesters.