Human rights bodies condemn ‘encounter’ killings

They urge State Human Rights Commission to intervene and hold inquiry

Human rights organisations based in Madurai — People’s Watch and Joint Action Against Custodial Torture (JAACT) — have condemned the recent police ‘encounter’ killings in Tamil Nadu. They urged the State Human Rights Commission to intervene in the issue.

The executive director of People’s Watch, Henri Tiphagne, said the State police had gunned down Murthaza of Jharkhand near Sriperumbudur and V. Durai Murugan of Thoothukudi district in Kovalam in the same week.

“This ‘encounter’ culture must stop. Cases were pending against both Murthaza and Durai Murugan. Trial would have led to their conviction. But instead, the police have gunned them down. There should be zero tolerance towards such killings,” he said.