India giving correct J&K picture to UN human rights body

New Delhi, Aug 18 (IANS) India has been "constructively engaging" with the UN's Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) to project the correct picture in violence-hit Jammu and Kashmir, a senior government official said on Thursday.

Stating that that there have been requests from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Prince Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein to India and Pakistan for visits from his office to Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) respectively to ascertain the human rights situation, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said: "Through our mission in Geneva, the government has been constructively engaged with OHCHR to project the correct picture by highlighting the central role of cross-border terrorism and its glorification in the violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir.

At his weekly media briefing here, Swarup said that India has "also stressed to UNHCHR the efforts and undivided attention of all organs of the Indian state for restoring normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir in the face of incitement and support to terrorism from across our border".

"We will continue to encourage international community to uphold promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the parts of Jammu and Kashmir under illegal occupation of Pakistan, and hold the concerned accountable for their violation," he stated.

At least 66 people have lost their lives in large-scale violence in Jammu and Kashmir following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani early last month.