NHRC move is significant step towards addressing human rights void: KPSG

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: Kashmir Policy and Strategy Group (KPSG), has expressed its gladness over the NHRC decision of paying three days visit to Kashmir valley to hear in person the grievances of the victims of the human rights abuses in turbulent Vale.
The NHRC’s decision to hold an open public hearing on rights violations comes after call of its conscience and from the Supreme Court opinion to create mechanisms allowing people in Jammu and Kashmir to file complaints directly with the NHRC, KPSG in a handout issued here today, said .
KPSG which convened its Executive meeting to deliberate over the decision said “This move represents a significant step towards addressing the human rights void that has persisted in Jammu and Kashmir since the abolition of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in 2019. Numerous human rights organizations have ceased to function due to Government restrictions on dissent, leaving many unresolved cases of rights violations”, it added.
The Chairman KPSG, Ashok Bhan said , “The people are carrying the burden as victims of conflict from 1947 and continuing consequences of armed insurgency resulting in exile of the religious minority and killings innocent civilians in the violence perpetrated by non State actors, others brutalised anti human groups including some times the State actors”.
He said “19th January 1990 is a Black day in Kashmir’s glorious history. On this day the whole population of Kashmiri Pandit Community was exited by gun toting terrorists and since then they are living as refugees in their own Country”.
He said “34 years of exile for this native population is brutal, long and traumatic. They are the aborigines Kashmiri and are the prime stakeholders in the Kashmir affairs.
“Kashmir calls for: democracy, justice, restoration of glory of peaceful coexistence and full enjoyment of human rights, ” he added.
SG urged the Union Government to engage with stake holders, win the hearts & minds of people through a healing process and plan a dignified return back home of exiled natives.
Without KPs the -Kashmiri civilizational ethos is incomplete in these modern time and in Naya Kashmir Vision of idea of India.
Dr MM Ansari the convener, former Governor BK Singh and veteran journalist HK Dua said -“The Supreme Court in its legal and institutional wisdom has shown a way forward”.