The State Human Rights Commission on Thursday issued notices to Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police Kulgam asking them to submit a report regarding Wednesday’s civilian killings in Kulgam. Four civilians were killed in clashes during an encounter with government forces in Wanimohalla Khudwani area of Kulgam district on Wednesday.
The government forces shot dead four civilians and injured around 70 as protests erupted near the encounter sites. The SHRC notice came after a petition was filed by chairperson International Forum for Justice and Human Rights, Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, asking the Commission to pass instant and appropriate orders for investigation into civilian killings and for free medical treatment to the injured. The petitioner further writes, “The security forces are actually meant for the security of civilians and not meant for the cold blooded murder of the civilians. The civilian killings triggered anger among general public which eventually resulted in widespread clashes.”