KL Report
Srinagar
State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Friday in its recommendations has impressed upon the Government to introduce Human Rights Education among the Para Military Forces including Jammu and Kashmir Police, so as to make them people friendly and do not inflict damage to life and public property even when provoked..
The Commission has told the Government to promote observance and enforcement of Human Rights culture among the forces and direct Security Forces to regard curfew passes and ensure the freedom of press at any cost in Kashmir Valley.
While deliberating on a complaint filed by Mir Mubashir Shujah and Zahoor Gulzar in 2010 in which they have alleged that journalists are not being allowed to work freely and are being harassed and persecuted by the local police and Para military forces, SHRC has stated the freedom of press is in the interest of society and once the ‘voice’ is being choked, society suffers at its height.
The complainants had alleged that Sweed Bashir, a photo jounalist while performing his professional duties was severely beaten by IRP 4th Battalion at Batamaloo Srinagar. Complainant prayed that their complaint be treated as complaint of valley based journalist fraternity of print and electronic media.
“Enquiry in this regard was also got conducted through Police Investigating Wing of this Commission and on perusal and analyzing the reports it was crystal clear that none other than the said photo Journalist was beaten and booked in FIR with sole purpose to cover the misdeeds of men in uniform,” the Commission stated.
The Commission has said that newspapers being purveyors of news and views having a bearing on public administration very often carry material, which would not be palatable to Governments and other authorities.
