Ramban firing: NHRC issues notice to centre, J&K

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Thursday sought a report from the central and Jammu and Kashmir governments over the firing by paramilitary forces in Ramban district July 18 which left four dead and 42 injured.

"We have issued notices to the union Home Secretary and Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir, calling for reports within four weeks in this matter," said an official of the NHRC.

The contents of the press report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights of the victims, the commission said.

Hundreds of people had marched to the BSF camp alleging that some personnel had gate-crashed into the mosque wearing shoes, thereby desecrating the place of worship. There were also allegations that people engaged in prayers in the mosque were roughed up.

BSF Inspector General (Frontier Jammu) Rajeev Krishna has claimed that the Border Security Force at the camp had opened fire to prevent looting of arms and ammunition.

The killing of the four villagers triggered widespread anger and violent protests, during which scores of people, including police and paramilitary personnel, were injured across the state.