The Gujarat chapter of the People's Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) has demanded an “independent inquiry commission to investigate the allegations of serious human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, killings, torture, rape and sexual violence” in Kashmir.

In a letter to the prime minister, the civil rights activists of Gujarat associated with the PUCL and the Movement for Secular Democracy (MSD) also sought the release of “all the children arrested on the charge of stone pelting”.

Their other submissions are:

* Ensure that the security forces respect the principle of proportionality while responding to civilian protests.

* Initiate an independent and impartial investigation into the killings of peaceful protestors, several of whom were children in a time bound manner and make the report public.

* Initiate legal and punitive action against persons who are found responsible for the killings of civilians

* Initiate a general debate involving members of the Kashmiri civil society and others on impunity and AFSPA, and possible mechanisms to respond to the prevailing impunity

* Compensation to the families killed in Security force's firing is given with out delay.

“We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of Gujarat submit this memorandum regarding the prevailing violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir and urge you to take immediate steps by the Government of India and the state government of J&K to prevent further loss of life and property and initiate an impartial investigation into the recent killings in the region,” noted the letter signed by PUCL Gujarat acting president Prakash N Shah and many others.

“With the disclosure of the Machil fake encounter in May this year, the political situation in Jammu and Kashmir has worsened over the last few weeks. Spontaneous protests erupted in the valley, and the series of stone pelting by the youth took place resulting 'one bullet for every stone' by the security forces, at the instance of the home ministry, reminding the colonial style of crowd control,” it adds.

Read the full report in the PDF attachment.