The Hindu : New Delhi News : Concern over fake encounter killings

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 06, 2007
ePaper

New Delhi

New Delhi

Concern over fake encounter killings

Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI: Bringing together known names in the human rights world, Jan Hastakshep and People's Union for Civil Liberties organised a panel discussion here in the Capital on Tuesday to highlight the increase and systematic use of encounter killings in the country. Concerned about this "gross violation'' of the rule of law and Fundamental Rights guaranteed under the Constitution, the panellists urged civil society to take a firm stand on the issue.

"We forget that Gujarat is not the only State where fake encounters have taken place. The process of fake encounters started when naxalites were being eliminated in West Bengal. According to figures, there have been 600 fake encounters in Mumbai from 1998 to 2003. The Sohrabuddin case came to light because his family members were well-to-do people. But the family of Samir Khan and others that Vanzara killed have no means to fight,'' said prominent human rights activist Gautam Navlakha.

Pointing out that there have been 2,035 encounters in Andhra Pradesh from 1968 to 2000 according to figures by the Concerned Citizens Committee, Mr. Navlakha said: "The National Human Rights Commission's recent report shows that in 2005-06 there were about 300 fake encounters.''

He added that the police in India had been given a free reign to kill people.

Asserting that fake encounters do not need political motives, Mr. Navlakha said encounters were conducted for rewards and even on contracts now.

In the Sohrabuddin case, it was not to crush a political movement, he said.

Eminent lawyer Nandita Haksar also reiterated that fake encounters were not a new phenomenon. "Fake encounters have become a media issue. If we deal with fake encounters, it is a substitute to deal with political dissent. Why is there no outrage? What has happened? Why has the human rights movement been marginalised or bureaucratised not only in India, but also around the world?'' she asked.

Talking about a case she was fighting in which six Burmese freedom fighters were being jailed in Kolkata, she said: "This case qualifies as being the biggest fake encounter in the country. It has the Military Intelligence, the Air Force, the Coast Guards and the police involved.'' Other panellists included poet Pankaj Singh, journalist Manoj Mitta, and CPI-ML (ND) member Aparna.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi

News Update

Stories in this Section