India’s Vice President Hamid Ansari has voiced concern over human rights violations by the police and security forces in Indian Kashmir, an Indian news outfit reported.
Speaking at an event in New Delhi on Saturday, Ansari said that the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, India’s northeast and the naxal belt was acute.
He added that complaints had been received about the misuse of laws such as the Armed Forces Special Powers Act in these areas.
Ansari also touched on the state of religious minorities, who, despite constitutional and legal guarantees, continue to be the target of violence and discrimination, Indian Express reported.
Speaking on “Citizens and State Conduct” at the VM Tarkunde memorial lecture on Friday, Ansari said weaker sections of society such as minorities, women, children and disabled people were still facing discrimination.
“These cut into the root of constitutional principle of equality of opportunity and equal access to justice and highlight the failure of the state to act properly.”
