Pm Admits Human Rights Violations By Troops In J & K
In all, 272 members of the security forces have been punished or prosecuted for human rights violations in Jammu & Kashmir during the past five years of low-intensity proxy war in the sensitive border state, Gowda told a seminar on the Indian Army and human rights here.
The Prime Minister reiterated that the government will continue to encourage openness and transparency, and maintain its dialogue with Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to achieve the goal of promoting and protecting human rights. Such a policy is in keeping with our liberal and tolerant ethos, which India has always cherished, Gowda said.
The seminar was also addressed by defence minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and the chief of army staff, Gen Shankar Roy Chowdhury.
J&K Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah was also present on the occasion.Gowda said the army had already set up a human rights cell at its headquarters, as well as in the commands engaged in counter-insurgency operations, to investigate allegations of human rights violations and take prompt action.
Todays (Thursdays) seminar shows that the army is fully aware of this important issue and is resolved to address it firmly, he said. Gowda said the security forces were under strict orders to exercise restraint and use the minimum necessary force to neutralise the provocative actions of anti-national elements, often at the cost of their own lives.
As a result, the price paid by the security forc-es in the form of casualties in counter-insurgency operations was often high, he noted. The Indian security forces enjoyed a high reputation for their respect for human rights in the most adverse circumstances, but unfortunately occasional violations of human rights did occur.
Gowda said India had always followed a policy of complete transparency on human rights matters. No restrictions were imposed on the press in J&K even after larges-cale militancy broke out in the state in the early 90s, aided and abetted by external forces, and accompanied by a deliberate disinformation campaign and orchestrated adverse propaganda.