UN concerned over civilian casualties in J-K

United Nations, Aug 28 (PTI) Voicing concern over
civilian casualties during protests over Amarnath land tranfer
issue in Jammu and Kashmir, the U.N. has asked India to
conduct "a thorough and independent investigation" into the
incident.

In its first comment since demonstrations began, the
U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights also
asked Indian authorities, to "respect the right to freedom of
assembly and expression" and "comply with international human
rights principles in controlling protests."

The use of force, it said, should be proportionate to the
threat posed and firearms should only be used in dispersing a
violent assembly to protect individuals against imminent
threat of death or serious injury.

Calling on the demonstrators to use only peaceful means,
OCHCR said, "leaders of the different protesting groups have a
responsibility to ensure that demonstrations are peaceful and
that the demonstrators are not carrying sticks, guns or other
weapons and refrain from intimidation."

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has so far
not commented on the situation and his spokespersons have
refrained from making any comment, mostly saying that they
have nothing to say.