Human rights activists to visit Kashmir

The Citizens for Democracy on Thursday has demanded an investigation into the arrest of Hurriyat leader Yaseen Malik even as seven prominent human rights activists agreed to probe the alleged violations of human rights in the valley as demanded by Hurriyat leaders.

The group of activists who will visit the valley includes former Delhi high court judge Rajinder Sachar, feminist Madhu Kishwar, thinker Rajni Kothari, documentary film-maker Tapan Bose, Sumanto Banerjee and Nitya Ramakrishnan, CFD president Kuldip Nayar said on Thursday.

Condemning the arrest of Malik and five supporters on Wednesday night, Nayar said the Hurriyat leaders were arrested despite the assurance given to Malik by Home Minister Indrajit Gupta that the government would look into the Hurriyat's demands. Nayar said the home minister was not aware of Malik's arrest.

Mukhtar Ahmad adds from Srinagar:

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has meanwhile issued a warning to state government staff who did not attend office after the All Party Hurriyat Conference called a strike in the valley to protest against alleged police atrocities.

Taking stock of the situation immediately after his arrival in Srinagar from New Delhi, the chief minister said, ''The absence from duty of staff, especially heads of various departments on the pretext of a bandh, will not be tolerated. It is strange that those who are supposed to inspire their staff to serve the people better stay away from the office.''

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