India set to say no to UN Human Rights Council's request to visit Kashmir

NEW DELHI: India is set to politely reject a UNHRC move to send a team to Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out that the domestic human rights panel was already at work while other institutions like Parliament and the Supreme Court had also discussed the situation in the state.

A carefully worded response, while noting that a visit by a UN Human Rights Council team is not required, will explain several measures the Indian government has taken to restore normalcy in J&K besides pointing to Pakistan's overt role in aggravating the situation in Kashmir by way of its open support to jihadi organisations instigating violence in India.

The UNHRC letter to India follows Pakistan raising the issue of alleged human rights violations in Kashmir.

The reply is expected to be explanatory as it is felt that a brusque response, despite the overwhelming backing of political parties at a recent all-party meeting, will not serve India's purpose as it is committed to UN processes and has moved its committees on various occasions. The government believes there is no dearth of evidence about the Pakistan government's role in allowing terrorist+ leader like Lashkar's Hafiz Saeed+ to whip up anti-India sentiment and send cadres to India.

India is likely to point out that its domestic oversight processes are robust with the National Human Rights Commission empowered to examine the situation in J&K. The Supreme Court is also hearing petitions relating to the situation in the state.

Parliament has discussed the J&K events in detail with political parties offering views and suggestions. All this, India is likely to inform the UNHRC, does not warrant a visit by a commission.