Human Rights Activists

S.Kamaljeet Singh

Human rights activist fears for life, seeks security 

Ashutosh Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 17


A leading human rights defender from Poonch district is living in a state of uncertainty and insecurity these days. On repeated recommendations of the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), the activist, Kamaljeet Singh, was given security cover by the police in 2008, but it was withdrawn more than a year ago.


Since the eruption of militancy in the state, Kamaljeet has filed more than 850 complaints about serious human rights violations with the commission, including cases of military abuse, extra-judicial killings, custodial deaths, torture, disappearance and forced labour by the security forces.


“The government has been adopting arm-twisting measures to silence my voice,” Kamaljeet said, and added, “In Jammu and Kashmir, there are so many repressive laws in force, which give unbridled powers to the security forces without any accountability. Because of the nature of my work in a conflict zone, I am receiving threats from not only militants, but also the security forces and intelligence agencies. I fear for my life.”


“Kamaljeet Singh has been taking a lot of interest in cases of human rights violations and helping the people,” observed former chairperson of the SHRC MY Kawoos.


Kawoos had recommended to the police to provide him security. “He feels insecure and is getting threats for highlighting the human rights violations.The SSP, Poonch, is directed to provide him security because the poor and downtrodden need him.”


In 2008, the acting chairperson of the SHRC, Habibullah Bhat, had also recommended to the SSP, Poonch, to provide security to Kamaljeet. “He is in pursuit of a noble job and has been feeling somewhat insecure. The district administration should take care of his personal security.”


“All over the world, human rights defenders are under constant threat from the security forces as well as non-state actors. They work under extremely difficult circumstances. The state government must look into this particular case seriously and ensure that all possible measures are taken to protect Kamaljeet,” said the general secretary, People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Pushkar Raaj, adding, “This will go a long way in instilling confidence among not only human rights activists, but also working journalists and members of the civil society, who are fighting for the protection of the basic human rights.”


SSP, Poonch, Ashkoor Ahmed Wani, said: “Militancy has almost ended in Poonch district.So, there is no security threat at all. His security was withdrawn more then a year ago as during the review, there was found to be no threat to him.”