NHRC: 'Time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism'

NEW DELHI: Deeply disturbed over the killing of tourists by the terrorists after identifying their faith in Pahalgam, the National Human Rights Commission on Friday asserted strongly that the "time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism and to hold them accountable for this menace."

"It is expected that the state will take all necessary steps to fix accountability; bring the perpetrators to justice, and provide succour to the families of the victims in all possible manner," the Commission said in a statement.

Asserting that they are deeply disturbed by the news of the killing of the tourists by the terrorists after identifying their faith in Pahalgam, the Commission condemned the "dastardly attack" on the "unarmed and unsuspecting innocent civilians who were on a holiday to the valley".

"The incident has shaken the conscience of every right thinking human being as a serious issue of violation of human rights of the innocent victims and their families," the NHRC said.

"It has been said time and again at various forums that terrorism is one of the biggest causes of human rights violations in the world. The time has come to act against those aiding, abetting, supporting and advancing terrorism and to hold them accountable for this menace," the Commission said.

"Otherwise, it may result in shrinking of democratic space, intimidation, reprisals, harmony among communities and grave violation of various human rights, including right to life, liberty, equality, fraternity, and livelihood," the NHRC cautioned.