New Delhi, February 14
Amidst allegations of “excesses”, the Centre today directed the security forces engaged in counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir to adopt a more humane and “people-friendly” approach and ensure that human rights violations are avoided.
At an hour-long review meeting of top officials of the Army, paramilitary forces and state police convened as part of a follow-up of his interaction with Hurriyat leaders here on January 22, Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani asked the forces to carry out standard operating procedures (SPOs) for activities like cordon and search, frisking at check points and night curfews in a more people-friendly manner.
He pointed out that the “major concern of the government regarding the state was to safeguard the security of the people and prevent violation of their rights, by the terrorists or security forces.”
The meeting emphasised that whenever excesses took place or allegations in this regard were made, the situation should be tackled locally “by immediate interaction of the security forces with local administration and mohalla committees of local citizens.”
After the meeting, the Army chief denied that human rights violations by Army personnel were on the rise.
