SECURITY OF J & K PANCHAYAT MEMBERS
JAMMU, 28/June/2013: Taking serious note of non-compliance of its earlier order in case of security for Panchayats, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), invoking provisions of section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 has now asked the top officers of Union Government and Jammu and Kashmir State to appear in person before it.
During the hearing of petition filed by Jammu-based RTI activist Raman Sharma demanding security for 33,000 Panchayat members of Jammu and Kashmir, the National Human Rights in its order (Case No. 334/9/13/2012 ) dated 12th June, 2013 has directed the Union Home Secretary and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir State to appear in person before the commission on 24th September 2013. Earlier in its order the commission had warned Union Home Secretary, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police of J and K to submit a detailed report over the issue of security for 33,000 Panchs and Sarpanchs or get ready to face section 13 of the Human Rights Act under which the NHRC can compel personal attendance of any officer/officials but none of the senior officer replied to the notice of commission.
The commission in its order has also specified the plea of the petitioner Raman Sharma where he has alleged that the 33,000 Panchayat members in Jammu and Kashmir have been threatened by the Hizbul chief Salahudin to submit their resignation, failing which to face the consequences. He has submitted that in spite of such threats the State Government and the Central Government did nothing to provide security to these members.
The petitioner has also argued that if these Panchayat members succumb to the diktat of the terrorists, the institution of democracy will weaken therefore he has sought the intervention of the commission. NHRC order further reads as, “In spite of final reminder sent to the Secretary, Department of Home, Government of India and Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, requisite reports have not been received. In the circumstances, the Commission is constrained to invoke provisions of section 13 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993 and directs the Secretary, Department of Home, Government of India, and the Chief Secretary, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar to appear in person before the Commission on the 24th September, 2013 at 11:00 AM along with the requisite reports”.
However the commission’s direction also states that in case the reports are received on or before 17th September 2013, the personal appearance of the officers shall stand dispensed with. The activist expressed gratitude to the commission for such a bold order. It is pertinent to mention here that till date six Panchayat members of the State have been killed by gunmen in different incidents and hundred others have submitted their resignations.
published in Daily Excelsior, State Times, The Tribune Early Times, JKnewspoint, Dainik Jagran, Northlines, Journey Line and many other newspapers.
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