The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) earns public trust with its independent investigation
NHRC raps Army for fake encounter, asks for compensation
New Delhi: Taking cognizance of Army excesses in an alleged fake encounter in Jammu and Kashmir, the National Human Rights Commission has asked Defence Ministry to pay Rs three lakh as compensation to the family of a youth, killed in the incident.
The Commission had taken suo motu cognizance of the killing nearly six years ago on the basis of a media report published on June 8, 2003.
Earlier, the Defence Ministry had failed to give its reply in connection with the killing.
In the incident, personnel of 119 Battalion of Assam Regiment were accused of killing of a Kashmiri youth, Javed Ahmed Magrey in a fake encounter, a charge which was later corroborated by a magistrate’s inquiry and police probes as well.
The father of the deceased had also filed a case with Nowgam Police Station alleging that his son had been picked up by the Army and was later killed by them in a fake encounter.
While awarding the compensation, the NHRC noted that “the security forces are, no doubt, performing a very onerous duty in Jammu and Kashmir. They are operating in difficult terrain to fight terrorism at great risk to their lives.
“While their fight against terrorists deserves all support, the government has a duty to ensure that no harm is caused to innocent citizens.”