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| 2006 has witnessed lowest human rights violations: Azad | | Legislative council holds debate over Mir’s resignation | | SRINAGAR, AUG 02: Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, on Wednesday denied that graph of the human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir has increased, he asserted that conditions are improving in the state, however he was quick to add that ‘all is not well’ and lot has to be done for restoring normalcy in the state. “ In the year 2006 human rights violations have been the lowest compared to last ten years. In 2006 there have been only two custodial deaths.” Azad told the members of the legislative council, while winding up the debate over the resignation of the chairman of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), Retired Justice Ali Mohammad Mir.
Azad, while referring to zero tolerance said, “ since the day Congress has taken over the reins of the state, we have been reiterating that custodial killings won’t be tolerated. Number of custodial deaths has come down to two and I believe it is quite near to zero.”
Terming the allegations about government not implementing the recommendations of the SHRC as baseless, Azad said, “ SHRC, chairman stating that recommendations of the commission were not implemented is not true. During last six years commission had made recommendations about 440 cases out of which 383 cases, were of exgratia relief and about providing employment. Granting exgratia and employment are the government policies and these recommendations have been implemented.” While giving the breakup of the recommendations of the commission, Azad, said, “ From 2001 to 2006, SHRC made 175 recommendations for Srinagar district, out of which 57 recommendations were implemented, similarly, commission made 119 recommendations about the cases pertaining to Pulwama, district out of which 74 recommendations were implemented, SHRC made 49 recommendations pertaining to Anantnag district, out of which, 36 were implemented, and it ( commission) made 37 recommendations pertaining to Budgam district out of which, 16 were implemented. These figures contradict the statement of the former SHRC, Chairman about government not implementing the recommendations of the commission.”
Earlier, Chairman of the Panther’s Party, Bhim Singh, initiated the debate over the resignation of the Chairman of the SHRC, Retired Justice, Ali Mohammad Mir, he said, “ SHRC, chairman tendering his resignation just before his term could have ended seems to be a publicity stunt. It seems that, SHRC chairman had realized that his term won’t be extended that is why he resigned.”
Singh, while referring to the human rights scenario in the state said, “during my political career, I have been lodged into different jails. Condition of these prisons is pathetic, with just one window and no toilet. My sincere appeal to the government is to make the conditions of these prisons better.”
Singh further said that there are nearly 172 youths from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PAK) languishing in various Indian prisons. “These youth need to be given a trial, as Indian constitution grants a right to everybody to defend himself.” He added, “ there are many other cases, in which high court has given the direction but government has not implemented the directions given by the high court. Many prisoners, who have been booked under Public Safety Act (PSA), continue to be under detention despite their detention orders being quashed.”
Bashir Ahmed Naaz , Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) of the National Conference said, “ during the NC regime recommendations made by the SHRC, were always recommended, however, it is unfortunate that since the time coalition government came into power, it ignored the commission, which led to the Chairman SHRC tendering his resignation.”
Naaz further said, “Killings and disappearances are not only the Human Rights (HR) violations, common people being made to run from pillar to post for getting their petty works done is also a glaring instance of HR violation.
Another NC, MLC, Rasheed Qureshi defended the former SHRC, chairman. In his speech, he said, “ I know Justice Mir, personally and he is a man of principles. I believe that his resignation is not a publicity stunt, there would have been strong reasons for him to take such a decision.” He demanded that government should make the SHRC strong and repeal the special powers act and disturbed area act.
Sakina Itoo, NC, MLC during her speech said, “ there is no doubt about the fact that HR violations are taking place in the state and resignation of the SHRC chairman is a blow to government. ”Itoo, while referring to Wular boat tragedy said, “ protesters, who had taken to the roads to express their resentment after the tragedy were fired upon. Firing upon peaceful protesters is a glaring instance of HR violations.”
Congress MLC, Abdul Gani Vakil during his speech said, “ All of us want to condemn the human rights violations taking place in the state, however, out of fear we are unable to open our mouth. Mirwaiz Moulvi Farooq knows, who killed his father but out of fear he has not opened his mouth till today, Geelani Sahib knows that if any political activist who was killed is innocent but he cannot open his mouth out of fear.” Vakil went step further and said that SHRC, chairman resigned because of fear.
Others who participated in the debate include, Bashart Bukhari, PDP, Nizammudin, PDP, Nazir Ahmed Mir, NC, Farida Mir, P. Namgayal, Ghulam Rasool Kar , Ashok Sharma, Abdul Rehamn Tukroo and Ghulam Nabi Lone.
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