Bring back those in POK, review cases of detenues, NC to J

Srinagar, July 20 (UNI) Expressing serious concern over the spurt in the alleged Human Rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, the main opposition party National Conference (NC) today urged the government to allow safe return of Kashmiri youths still in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), review cases of detenues and release all political prisoners.

Initiating a debate on Human Rights (HR) issue in the Legislative Assembly here today, leader of the opposition Abdul Rahim Rather alleged that the HR violations by the security forces has increased.

'' If you will not act now, it will be difficult to control people's anger'', he said adding everyday reports of HR violations are being received from different parts of the country.

Mr Rather, who had earlier given an adjournment motion on the issue, said Bandipora, Kangan and other violations by the security forces should open the eyes of the government now.

He said peaceful demonstrators are being lathicharged and beaten by the police.

'' I warn the government that people's anger is growing day by day on the issue of HR and the day is not far away when it will take away everything, including the government'', he said.

He asked what happened to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurance of zero tolerance on Human Rights violations. Where will the Kashmiris go to plead their cases as despite assurance by Dr Singh there was no improvement in the present condition, he added.

Mr Rather alleged that the recommendations of the State Human Rights Commissions are not being implemented by the government.

'' It is toothless commission'', he said adding the commission has no authority to proceed against the central security forces.

He said the NC was ready to extend all support to government to make the commission more powerful so that central security forces are also punished for violating HR. However, he added, that there are only few black sheeps in the force who are defaming the entire force.

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