Srinagar
The recent killings of civilians in Kashmir “needs to be investigated,” Stephane Dijarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday as protests swept the state, reports claimed.
“Civilians have to be protected wherever they are, whether it is in Gaza, whether it is in Jammu and Kashmir, whether it is in Yemen; it is a basic principle,” he said in reply to a reporter’s question. “Any loss of civilians needs to be investigated wherever they occur,” said a report published in Business Standard.
Meanwhile, Security Council President Gustavo Meza-Cuadra said that there were no plans for the Council to take up the Kashmir developments.
Meza-Cuadra, who is the Permanent Representative of Peru, which holds the rotating presidency for April, said in answer to a question: “This is an important topic. But at this time there is no consensus in order to address it. So far, for the time being, we don’t have anything planned on the (topic in the) programme.”
The Pakistani journalist who asked the question during Meza-Cuadra’s briefing falsely said that 20 civilians had been killed, reported Bussiness Standard.
Earlier at his daily briefing, Dujarric said: “The Secretary-General is very concerned about the situation we see in Jammu and Kashmir.”
“He reminds that member states are responsible under the international humanitarian law to protect civilians,” he added. “The Secretary-General reiterates his call on member states to find ways to address disputes in a peaceful manner,” the report mentioned.
13 militants and four civilians were killed on April 1, during an encounter with government forces in Shopian and Islamabad districts of south Kashmir. Over 100 youths were injured from last two days as clashes erupt between the youth and forces.
