National

NHRC notice to J&K Govt.

By Our Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI OCT. 10. The National Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Director-General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, asking whether any compensation, ex-gratia or otherwise, has been paid to the next of kin of Vaishno Devi pilgrims killed in a terrorist attack on July 20, 2003. The Commission had taken suo motu cognisance of media reports on the killing of seven pilgrims and had sought a report from the State Government.

At its recent meeting, the Commission considered an initial report received from the State DGP and wanted to ascertain from the officer whether any compensation had been paid to the families of the victims. The Commission had sought a report on the attack and also about the alleged laxity in security as reported in the media. It noted that it was a matter of serious concern if the laxity in security had been conveyed to the DGP as reported in the media and no immediate steps were taken.

Meanwhile, the former Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court, Justice Y. Bhaskar Rao, today assumed charge as member of the Commission.

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