Minorities Commission seeks report on civilian deaths in Jammu and Kashmir, issues notice to administration

Days after three civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch-Rajouri area were found dead after they were picked up by the Army for questioning, the National Commission for Minorities

Days after three civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch-Rajouri area were found dead after they were picked up by the Army for questioning, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on December 27 took cognisance of the case and issued a notice to the Union Territory’s administration. 

The NCM was acting on a complaint by Delhi-based human rights activist Saddam Mujeeb, who compiled information from news reports and alerted it about the incident, seeking action against the perpetrators, and justice for the families of the victims. 

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The three men, Mohammad Showkat (22), Safeer Hussain (45), and Shabir Ahmad (32), were among eight men picked up by the Indian Army a day after unidentified terrorists killed four Army jawans in an ambush in the area. The three men were found dead on December 22 and their families were asked to collect their bodies from the Army camp. 

A 29-second video, which went viral on social media, allegedly showed “Army personnel stripping the three men and subjecting them to severe treatment, including the application of chilli powder. The video depicts the victims lying lifeless with visible wounds on their backs,” the complainant said, referring to news reports. 

The other five men are currently admitted to a hospital with severe injuries, and are receiving treatment. 

Taking cognisance of the complaint, the NCM has written to the Chief Secretary to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, seeking a detailed report on the incident by January 15, 2024.