NEW DELHI: When Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the people of Kashmir, professing the Centre’s commitment to “insaniyat (humanity), jamhuriyat (democracy) and Kashmiriyat”, the Supreme Court expressed its concern over the current scenario and said there was lack of a humane approach towards the month-long unrest in the valley.
Encounter of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8 paved way for clashes between protesters and security forces claiming 55 lives and leaving hundreds injured. A bench of Justices P C Ghose and Amitava Roy said: “There must be a humane approach towards the problem and it is now missing. People should be treated with love and affection but it is lacking at present and it must be ensured by the government.”
The court passed the observation while hearing a plea of the state seeking stay of contempt proceedings initiated by a local court against Srinagar’s Senior SP for not registering an FIR against a DSP who had allegedly shot down a 22-year old youth, Shabir Ahmad Mir, by barging into his home on July 10.
A Srinagar court had directed the SSP to lodge the FIR and initiated contempt proceedings against him for not complying with its order, which was upheld by the J&K High Court. The lower court had issued NBW against the SSP and he was arrested and brought before the court for not complying with the order.
The court referred the matter to the HC to initiate contempt proceedings, prompting the state government to rush to the Supreme Court.
Appearing for the state government, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi refuted the allegation that police had killed the youth at his residence and told the bench that he was hit when security forces opened fire to control a violent crowd of protesters. He said a police officer could not be prosecuted for taking such action.
