Human Rights: Kashmir government moves to probe deaths of 17 persons by police and paramilitary forces

Srinagar, India, July 28, IRNA - The state government has appointed a two-member Commission of Inquiry to probe deaths of 17 persons by police and paramilitary forces since June 11 this year. The government also sanctioned relief to the families of victims.

The decision to set up the Commission was taken at a state cabinet meeting here on Tuesday chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, an official spokesman said.

The commission has been set up to cool tempers running high in Kashmir since the spate of killings began some six weeks ago.

The commission will be headed by a retired judge of Kashmir High Court.

The Commission has been asked to submit its report within three months.

The government has also taken a number of other steps to bring the street rage, which has now turned into a full blown anti-India agitation, in control.

The cabinet decided to set up a committee to review the cases of detention under the Public Safety Act (PSA) and make recommendations about the release