Kashmiri Pandits approach NHRC on selective killings issue, demand Special Crimes Tribunal Court

Kashmiri Pandits approach National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on selective killings issue. Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, Senior BJP & KP leader, Human Rights Defender, Author & Columnist and Vijay Raina, Sarpanch, Chowgam-Kulgam in their letter to the Chairman NHRC said that, “It is gratifying to note that the National Human Rights Commission has taken a suo motto cognizance of the selective killings of the minorities, the Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs, in the Kashmir valley by the terrorists. As an urgent action, your initiative of sending notices to the government on this situation is also satisfying. Therefore, at an outset, we thank the Commission for such a prompt action in the matter and hope that the action will be taken to the logical conclusion.

Last year also we had brought up the issue of killings of Sarpanchs and other minority community members in the valley to your notice. We earnestly request the Commission to view this whole issue in perspective of continued ethnic cleansing.

You have observed in this connection that, “the painful incidents of killing of civilians allegedly by the terrorists are a serious threat to the democratic fibre of the country and people’s right to life, liberty, equality and dignity. Targeted killings of those who are not Kashmiri Muslims is an attempt to keep non-Muslims out of the Valley. It is a gross violation of human rights of minority communities in the Valley, which must be stopped”……“The Commission takes suo motu cognizance of the incident and directs issuance of notices to the Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir and the DGP, Jammu & Kashmir calling for a detailed report in the matter including present status of the investigation being conducted and steps be taken or proposed to be taken by the authorities to safeguard innocent citizens’ lives from being killed in a targeted manner”.

In its decision, on a complaint filed by us, the Commission’s Court in 1999 had said that, “acts akin to genocide were committed against the Kashmiri Pandits and……a genocide type design may exist against them in the minds and utterances of militants and terrorists”. The governments failed to take cognizance of the view of the NHRC and couldn’t take any policy decision in view the decision till date.

We strongly believe and have thus demanded that the government should establish a ‘Special Crimes Tribunal Court’ to investigate into the heinous crimes perpetrated against the minorities for the last 35 years in the Jammu and Kashmir state (now UT). It would create a sense of confidence among the minorities that the State is conscious of its duties towards the minorities and crimes against humanity committed against them would not be ignored or pardoned. It will also work as a confidence building measure for the minority communities in the UT and especially in the valley of Kashmir.

You are requested to, as an interim measure, associate our complaint request with the case referred herein above as a victim party to the issue. Kindly make it convenient to accede to our request and respond”.