HUMAN RIGHTS

Government Statement on Recommendations of NHRC

The National Human Rights Commission has, inter- alia, made following recommendations in respect of the arcas affected by the insurgency and terrorism:

i) In States where the security forces are called upon to assist the civil authorities, the local magistrate and/or police officers should be associated, in particular with cordon and search operations, in order to allay misgivings regarding the conduct of personnel of the security forces and to prevent misuse of powers.

ii) The District Magistrate should chair regular meetings involving the security forces and be kept fully informed of operations by the latter. To the extent possible, leading non-officials, representatives of non- governmental organizations and other should be associated with such meetings.

iii) Appropriate political measures and initiatives be taken, as in the long run, they have far more lasting and beneficial results than reliance essentially on security forces.

As regards recommendations at (i) and (ii) above, local magistrate, village elders as well as police officers were already being associated with cordon and search operations in the State of Jammu and Kashmir. The State Government has strengthened the mechanism to make it more effective and responsive. In every district there is a Screening-cum-Coordination Committee headed by Deputy Commissioner concerned and comprises the District Superintendent of Police and representatives of the security forces at senior levels. This Committee takes up, inter-alia, matters connected with search operations, army aid to civil authorities for maintaining public order etc. in its meetings which are held regularly. In North- Eastern Region, the State Governments, particularly those handling insurgency situation in their States, were advised to set-up a coordination mechanism at the State and district levels (at the State level under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary and at the district level, under the Deputy Commissioners with representatives of security forces, police and intelligence agencies). In these coordination meetings the subject of human rights are raised and human rights concerns addressed. The seriously affected States viz. Assam, Nagaland and Manipur have already set up such Committees which are meeting frequently. The coordination committees give due consideration to complaints and suggestions made by individuals and non-governmental organizations in their deliberations and make appropriate recommendations.

As for the recommendations at (ii), the aim of the Government is to restore a democratic Government in the State of Jammu and Kashmir at the earliest through the conduct of elections. A popular Government is expected to accelerate the process of restoration of complete normalcy and peace in the State. All efforts are, therefore, being made to hold peaceful, free and fair elections. As for the North-Eastern Region, the policy of the Government has been on the one hand to deal firmly with those indulging in violent activities and on the other to encourage them to join the national mainstream provided they abjure violence and agree to work within the Constitution of India. Within this policy framework, there has been several accords. However, there are some insurgent groups/outfits active in the NE States which have not yet shown any inclination to shun vjolence and to work within the Constitution. Therefore, there is no alternative but to take firm legal steps permissible under law to curb violence, killing, arson, extortion etc. perpetrated by such terrorist groups.

(Source: LSUQ No. 1894 dated 7 December, 1995 by S.S. Owaisi)

US Department on Protection of Human Rights in India

The treatment of religious minority groups in India, including Muslims, has been a human rights concern of ours for some time. The State: Department's annual human rights reports of the last several years for India have noted major examples of communal violence as well as general instances of Hindu-Muslim tension, but contain few individual examples of discrimination against Muslims.

We have a regular dialogue with the Government of India on a wide range of human rights problems, including persecution on grounds of religion. We will continue to raise this important issue with the government.

We have been impressed with the work of the National Human Rights Commission of India (NHRC). The Commission has had some success in bringing cases against government officials and others responsible for human rights abuses across India.

I am against Pakistanis and the Muslims living in this country with a Pro-Pakistani mentality.

-Bal Thackeray