Handwara Massacre: SHRC Pulls Up Admin For Not Issuing Notice About ‘Untraced’ Victims

Srinagar: State Human Rights Commission on Monday disapproved the behavior of deputy commissioner Kupwara over non-compliance of its orders regarding four “untraced persons” who were killed in Handwara by paramilitary BSF on October 1, 1990.

On 15 February this year, commission had directed the district administration to publish, in local newspapers, names and photographs of the four untraced persons so that their kin can identify them.

The four persons include Ghulam Rasool Malik, Ghulam Rasool Sofi, Ghulam Rasool Hajam and Shahzad Ahmed Pir and they were among 14 persons killed in the firing by the BSF.

Hearing a petition filed by the chairman of International Forum for Justice, Human Rights (JK) Ahsan Untoo, the Commission had directed that the deputy Commissioner to issue advertisement in the local newspaper so that NOKs of these deceased persons are located and ex-gratin relief already sanctioned In their favour disbursed.

Thereafter another order was passed by the Commission on May 17, asking the deputy commissioner to ensure that the advertisement is published in the local daily.

“Inspite of these orders we are not getting response from Deputy Commissioner Kupwara. Orders were sent to him even through fax. This attitude of Deputy Commissioner cannot be appreciated,” chairperson of the Commission Justice Bilal Nazki observed in the order.

“Let a copy of this order go to Chief Secretary for his information,” the commission said.

In the meantime, the commission that deputy Commissioner be given notice under section 17 of J&K Protection of Human Rights Act.

“Since Dy. Commissioner has failed to issue advertisement in the newspapers from 15.02.2018. Therefore let this office issue a notice to local newspapers regarding the subject matter,” the Commission said, adding that the advertisement should request NOKs of four deceased persons to appear before the Commission. The case has been posted against August 28.