Puri demands inquiry into custodial deaths in Leh

Jammu. June 21 (UNI) Padm Vibhushan Balraj Puri, convener People's Union of Civil Liberties, Jammu and Kashmir, expressed serious concern over reports of grave violations of human rights in Leh, including illegal detention of a member of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and three of his political colleagues and a case of custodial death.

The detainees who received physical torture at the hands of the policemen were released next day after strong protests by residents of Leh and complete shutdown in the town, he said.

Mr Puri demanded independent enquiry into these cases and an explanation for the brutal behaviour of the police. As a long term measure, he suggested that Ladakh region should be recognised as the third region in the constitution of the state, like Jammu and Kashmir, and should have regional administration like the other two regions.

UNI