J&K violence choreographed from across border: India

India on Wednesday reiterated that the ongoing violence in Jammu and Kashmir since the July 8 death of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani has been "choreographed from across the border".

"We have shared the evidence on terrorists who came from across the border with instructions to target our security forces by mingling with protesting crowds and using them as human shields. Terrorism, I would emphasise, is the most egregious violation of human rights," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said in a statement here.

The response came after a general debate was initiated by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein during the 33rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council on Tuesday.

The Indian government said Jammu and Kashmir had started to move towards normalcy after sustained efforts by both the central and the state governments, which included exercise of maximum restraint by Indian security forces, 7,000 of whom have sustained injuries till date.

Over 80 people have died and hundreds others injured in the violence following Wani's killing.

"India's robust democratic institutions and processes have sufficient tools for the redress of grievances and they are already engaged with this issue across the entire democratic political spectrum," Swarup said.

India has been appreciative of the UN High Commissioner's efforts to improve the efficiency and streamline the working of the Geneva-based Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR).

"However, we remain concerned at the persisting ambiguities in OHCHR governance and administrative arrangements. The High Commissioner's proposed Change Initiative requires more clarity," Swarup added.

--IANS

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