NHRC issues notice to UP govt over encounters to improve law & order

New Delhi: On the basis of the official statistics of encounters that occurred in Uttar Pradesh over a period of six months starting from March, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of UP, taking a suo motu cognizance on Wednesday.

NHRC also asked for a detailed report in the matter within six weeks. Reportedly, the number of encounters is 433 since the incumbent state government came into power. A total of 19 alleged criminals were killed in these encounters and 89 injured. Apart from this, 98 officials were also injured and one died.

Adding further an NHRC official statement mentioned, "Another news story of the 16th September, 2017 says that 15 persons had been killed in encounters since the new government came to power in Uttar Pradesh. The State government has, reportedly, described the encounters as an achievement and a proof of improvement in the law and order situation."

The row further escalated with the UP chief minister's recent comment while he was campaigning in the last week in Ghaziabad for the ongoing three phased civic poll, "Criminals will be jailed or killed in encounters."

"The Commission has noted that it has also received intimation about 22 encounter deaths from the state police authorities in this current year till date, as per its standing guidelines. It has observed that even if the law and order situation is grave, the state cannot resort to such mechanism, which may result in the extra judicial killings of the alleged criminals. The reported statement of the Chief Minister tantamount to giving police and other State governed forces, a free hand to deal with the criminals at their will and, possibly, it may result into abuse of power by the public servants," a statement by NHRC mentioned. "It is not good for a civilized society to develop an atmosphere of fear, emerging out of certain policies adopted by the State, which may result into violation of their right to life and equality before law," it further said.