NHRC seeks report from Army, local authorities over killing of

National Human Rights Commission today sought reports from the Defence Ministry and local authorities in Jammu and Kashmir over the killing of two youths in Army firing in Budgam district two days back.
The Commission issued separate notices to the Defence Ministry and Budgam police about the incident, which triggered strong reactions in the Valley.
"NHRC has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Defence, and Superintendent of Police, Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir calling for reports within two weeks into the incident of firing by Army personnel resulting in killing of two youths and injury to two others in Chattergam area on November 3," an official statement said today.

The Army has already ordered a Court of Inquiry into the firing.
The youths were traveling in a car and, as claimed by the Army, they did not pay heed to signals to stop at the barriers set up by the security forces, the statement added.
Two other youths were also injured in the incident that led to widespread condemnation from various quarters, including mainstream political parties.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley had termed the incident as highly regrettable while the Home Ministry has also sought a report from the state government in this regard.
The moderate Hurriyat Conference had yesterday filed a petition before the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) seeking an inquiry in the case.

Curfew-like restrictions continued in five police station areas in Srinagar as a precautionary measure even as normal life across Kashmir was affected today following a call for general strike by separatist groups to protest the killing of the two youths.