Ramban killings: SHRC issues notice to Union of India, DG BSF

Srinagar : State Human Rights Commission on Tuesday issued a notice to Union of India through Secretary (home) and Director General of Border Security Force on a petition filed by Hurriyat Conference (M) in connection with the killing of four innocent persons at Gool area of Ramban district last week.

“The notice was issued by a bench headed by Javaid Kawoosa and the case has been listed on August 13,” Advocate Aijaz Ahmad Dar told KNS.

Advocate Dar, who appeared before the SHRC on behalf of petitioner— Head of Hurriyat (M) legal cell, Abdul Manan Bukhari—said that Commission has already issued notices Director General of Police, Principal Secretary Home, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioner Ramban and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban in connection with incident after taking suo-moto cognizance.

The petition seeks directions to concerned officials to register FIRs against 76 battalion BSF and police personnel involved in the commission of offence and their arrest forthwith.

The petition also seeks directions to Director General of Border Security Force to issue the orders of suspension from the services of the BSF personnel of 76 Battalion.

“More so it is also prayed that explanation be sought from the Union of India through Secretary (home) to Government of India and state government through Chief Secretary viz-a-viz the occurrence so that the incidents would not happen in future.”

The petitioner has submitted that the killing of incident of Gool Gulabgarh Ramban has caused great annoyance and resentment amongst the public at large which incident is not only shocking in so far as the desecration of Quran by the BSF but also the sheer violation of Human rights as four innocent –-Manzoor Ahmad Shan, Javid Ahmad, Abdul Lateef (Imam) and Farooq Ahmad Beigh.

“Unarmed civilians have been killed by the B.S.F 76 Bn./JKP who entered into the Madsara/Mosque during Taravee nimaz along with their shoes, as such have violated the Articles 25 to 28 of the Constitutions of India which guarantee the Right to Religion. But in the instant case, the B.S.F has crossed all the limits by virtue of their inhumane acts”.

That after witnessing the incident of desecration of Quran, the petitioner says, the people present in the Mosque protested peacefully, but the BSF and police to the utter disregard to humanity and human values, started indiscriminately firing on the people who were trying to save their lives by moving here and there, but of no use, as the unprovoked firing caused the great lost to the lives of the human beings which also caused injuries to as many as 60 civilians.

“That the unprovoked firing which seems to be the premeditation on their part, has violated the Article 21 of the Constitution of India as the innocent civilians have been deprived off their lives and liberties without any reason or rhyme by the B.S.F 76 Bn./JKP.”

The petitioner has submitted that the “atrocities show the suppression, oppression and aggression by the B.S.F 76 Bn./JKP against the innocent and unarmed civilians which are against the basic structure of the fundamental right in terms of Article 21 of the Constitution of India.”

The petitioner also submitted it is well settled Law that Law is one and the same for all. “Law is above all and nobody is above it and majesty of Law as such should prevail. When a common man is being punished for his illegal actions then why not the men in uniform who know the pros and cons of the law, nevertheless they take Law into their own hands and why they should not be brought to justice,” the petitioner said, adding, “ignorance of fact is excusable, but ignorance of law is not excusable.”

Source (KNS)