Srinagar: While hearing the case of alleged forced labour by Army, the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) on Monday directed the Director General Police to furnish details to proceed further for compensation to the affectees. The State Home Department has already asked the DGP to furnish the said details, a statement by independent MLA from Langate said.
Army had written to SHRC to provide details regarding the f
ocred labour of civilians of Mawer area of Langate constituency in Kupwara district. “During the latest hearing of the case today by the Double Bench headed by Justice (rtd) J A Kawoosa, the SHRC directed the DGP to provide specific instances of individuals with names who were employed as forced labour by Army, details of exact duration for which they were employed and if any wages/ compensation paid in cash or kind for it. The Commission asked the State and Central home departments to provide their reports about the issue, otherwise it will process without taking that into consideration. MLA Langate was himself present during the hearing, and gave evidences of forced labour by Army. “Civilians including skilled labourers and transporters were forced by Army to work without wages for 13 years, from 1990-2003,” he said. The next hearing of the case has been fixed on 24 May.
Engineer Rasheed had filed the case of forced labour by Army in December 2009 following which SHRC got the complaint investigated by police. The report filed to Commission by ADG Police confirmed the complaints of the MLA. Now he is seeking compensation for the victims of forced labour. The complaint has also been proved by IGP Kashmir, SP Handwara and Deputy Commissioner Kupwara vide DCK/SHRC/LS/972-73 Dated 15-9- 2011.
MLA Langate said that he will continue to fight till victims get justice. “We have been victims of grave human rights violations by Army, and they have to compensate the people and apologize,” he maintained.
