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J&K CM's first ever meeting with Amnesty
Though Union home ministry might be averse to the Amnesty International's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, first since militancy started in the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met an AI team and assured to protect human rights of the people.
Though Union home ministry might be averse to the Amnesty International's visit to Jammu and Kashmir, first since militancy started in the state, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah met an AI team and assured to protect human rights of the people.
"Allowing the Amnesty International team to visit Kashmir is clear indication of the fact that the government believes in openness and transparency," said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while interacting with a delegation of Amnesty International at Srinagar.
In the past, New Delhi and the state government was opposed to any international body traveling to Kashmir claiming human rights issues were being tackled properly in the state. The government fear was that the AI visit will give credence to separatist propaganda that human rights abuses were sky-rocketing in the Valley.
The AI delegation, comprised Ramesh Gopala Krishnan and Bikramjit Batra, informed the chief minister about the area of activity of the human rights body.
The Chief Minister has asked the body to do an objective and fair analysis of the ground situation.
"Let the AI come up with an impartial report, so that on the basis of their positive suggestions corrective measures could be taken whenever and wherever required," assured the chief minister.
Omar Abdullah had been an advocate of a justice and reconciliation commission on the lines of South Africa's apartheid human rights abuses.
"The last two decades have seen turbulent situation with abnormal turmoil all round the valley. During the turmoil, innocent civilians suffered on one side or the other as a result of the unwanted gun culture," said Abdullah.
He said the government doesn't lack the will to punish any security personnel whenever they have been found guilty of any human rights violation.
"The state government in full cooperation with Central government has practically proved the fact that any security personnel found guilty has been brought to the book," he added.
The Chief Minister claimed that whether it is a case of militancy or general law and order situation, the government is adopting full legal and judicial route to deal with the accused persons.
"There is no desire of the government to thwart any legal process or deny any person his legal right. All government actions are doctrine by proper legal procedures and judicial system," he said.
