In a first, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought a report from the defence ministry on human rights violation of soldiers by stone pelters in Kashmir.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of a complaint requesting its intervention for an appropriate enquiry in the incident of stone pelting and assault by a mob on the army personnel in the Shopian district of Jammu & Kashmir on January 27, 2018.

Raising the issue of the safety of soldiers and officers who are deployed in counter insurgency areas, the complaint sought to draw the attention of the commission to the innumerable and frequent instances of violation of human rights of the army personnel, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.

The commission has observed that in view of the facts narrated and allegations levelled in the complaint, it will be appropriate to call for a factual report from the defence ministry to know the present status of the situation and steps taken by the union government on the points raised by the complainants regarding alleged humiliation and violation of the human rights of the army personnel in Kashmir.

A communication has been sent to the union defence secretary, expecting the response within four weeks, said a press release.

The complaint has been filed by three children of army officers. They said they are disturbed by the recent incidents of stone pelting and assaults by unruly and disruptive mob on security forces.

They alleged, quoting news reports, that the attack on an army convoy in Shopian district was completely unprovoked an unwarranted; still an FIR was registered against the army personnel. They quoted, date wise, a series of incidents wherein, allegedly, the army faced hostilities from the very people, it was deployed to protect. Even FIRs were registered against the army.

It is pointed out in the complaint that the administration, which is being assisted by the army, has failed to safeguard the human rights of the members of the armed forces. They cited instances of various countries, where severe punishment is meted out to those involved in stone pelting on armed forces.