Farooq seeks more powers for NHRC

By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, AUG. 23. Taking a different line from that of the Union Home Minister, Mr. L.K. Advani, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today sought more powers for the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to deal with those who committed human rights violations.

Without naming the security forces, he said the NHRC should have the right to try anyone who violated the law. But he did not elaborate on what should be the gamut of the powers. On the extension of any law giving amnesty to security forces in Kashmir, he said, ``it is our State and we know what to do.''

Dr. Abdullah said the Centre would not allow any human rights violation under any circumstances. Even as he avoided a direct reply to many questions on the issue, he made it clear that any decision would be taken by the State alone. The amnesty was for those who were facing trial in Punjab. Many of them had been dismissed and were in pathetic condition. We had to look into their cases sympathetically, he added.

He was talking to presspersons after launching the J & K Bank Diary on Commercial Broadcasting Service of Radio Kashmir here.

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Section  : National
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