G S Asgotra
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 10: Notwithstanding the fact that Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has himself advocated human rights as a lawyer for better part of his life, in Jammu and Kashmir the State Human Rights Commission itself seems to be worst victim of the human rights violation as it has remained headless for a long time now.
The PDP-BJP led coalition government has given a unique tribute on occasion of Human Rights Day as after the retirement of Chairman and members, this commission has virtually turned into a headless body for merely giving dates of hearing to the applicants.
After the retirement of justice Bashir-ud-Din from the post of Chairman in October 2011, the post of chairperson is not fulfilled so far after the lapse of nearly four years. Since then neither the previous government and nor the incumbent government is showing seriousness to appoint any person at this post.
It is pertinent to mention here that every year after declaration of United Nations Organization in 1948, December 10 is observed as International human Right Day across the world but unfortunately the state premier organization which deals with human right issue is totally lying defunct as after superannuation of member Rafiq Fida Hussain in July last year. "According to norms, the commission should have four members and chairperson but after superannuation of one by one now the SHRC runs by lower rung employee", said an employee wishing anonymity.
As per source report, after the retirement of last member of the commission, more than one thousand cases related to rapes, cross boarder firing, land mine victims, child labour and police harassment are just pending before the commission. "As a result, the victims are compelled to make round over round and get new date of hearing since last four years", the source said.
However, Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had already proclaimed in Lower House of State legislature, the government is committed to full fill all the vacant posts of commission but after lapse of many months, all the proclamations made by Chief Minister are proving hoax.
Due to non-appointment of full-fledged commission, the government has not successful to establish sub-office in militant hit areas in Rajouri, Poonch and Doda and other part of the state. |
