Family members of several 2010-violence victims are being denied access to first information reports (FIRs) by the police in Indian-Held Kashmir. The Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) report titled “Behind the Numbers” said out of 97 cases studied, 51 families had no access to FIRs, reported Kashmir Media Service.
“Access to FIR is a basic right that has to be accorded to all citizens forthwith,” the CDR report stated. “In nearly 46 instances, families have tried to access FIR, but all have not been provided with the copies. While 51 families have reported that they have been totally denied access to FIRs.
The families said police did not even provide them with the FIR numbers.” The report further said that in 56 cases, the families claimed that they were not given any information by the authorities concerned regarding charges or legal proceedings that were initiated in case of death of their wards. Abdul Qayoom, resident of Soura Anchar, tried to file an FIR regarding the death of his son Umar Qayoom. He said Umar was beaten by the police and paramilitary CRPF in August 2010.
