The Hindu : New Delhi News : Appeal to end killings in Kashmir Valley

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Appeal to end killings in Kashmir Valley

Aarti Dhar

Civil society groups demand a probe by NHRC

Plea to investigate restlessness among Kashmiri youth
‘Their behaviour cannot be met with use of force'

NEW DELHI: Women's groups, civil society organisations and child rights activists have demanded an immediate end to the killing of children and youth in the Kashmir Valley. They called for an inquiry by the National Human Rights Commission into such killings over the past few days, allegedly during firing by para-military forces.

In a resolution passed at an emergency meeting of all national organisations here, the groups demanded that NHRC also investigate why the children and youth in the Valley were a confined lot, the causes of violence and restlessness among them that lead to conflict with the government agencies.

“Young men in Kashmir are apparently very angry. They constantly resort to throwing stones at the security forces. However, legally and ethically, such behaviour cannot be met with by exerting disproportionate force on the protesters….. Any irresponsible exertion of disproportionate force is condemnable, especially in contexts when it is not open to judicial scrutiny,” the resolution said.

The resolution admitted that security forces operate under stress, sometimes feeling threatened by having to face the anger of the youth, and hence sometimes felt threatened by them. It was imperative that “we make an effort to understand and respond to their anger”.

“The State needs to engage with their anger. Perhaps these are young men without opportunities who give vent to their frustrations with other larger political questions. The State must start a dialogue with them. Even strategically that is the only way out to channelise public anger into something constructive,” the resolution said.

The groups also demanded that the Planning Commission examine and plan steps to reduce violence in J&K against women, children and youth besides initiating immediate measures of dialogue and discussion on these lines.

The signatories to the resolution include the Guild of Services, Central Social Welfare Board, Mahila Dakshita Samiti, Young Women's Christian Association, All-India Democratic Women's Association, All-India Women's Conference, War Widows' Association, Joint Women's Programme, Child Rights Coalition, and the National Federation of Indian Women.

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