Srinagar, July 02 (KMS): The International People's Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in occupied Kashmir has condemned the assassination attempt on renowned human rights activist, advocate Parvez Imroz by the occupation forces at his residence on Monday night.

Indian troops and police conducted several raids on the residence of Pervez Imroz to arrest him but failed in their efforts, as he was not present in his house. The troops hurled a grenade in the house causing a lot of damage to it and its surroundings.

Denouncing the assault on Imroz, advocate Mihir Desai, Legal Counsel for the Tribunal, said, "The assault reflects the impunity under which the Indian troops and police operate in occupied Kashmir".

Dr Angana Chatterji, Tribunal’s co-convener, terming the attempt to assassinate Imroz as a cowardly and brutal act pointed out that the attack is an effort to halt the International People's Tribunal from continuing its work. He maintained that earlier the revelation of the unnamed mass graves and the troops’ attempts to intimidate and threaten the human rights activists unveiled the Government of India's abject disregard for justice.

Last week the Tribunal's investigation into unnamed mass graves in Baramulla and Kupwara led to the targeting and harassment of Dr. Angana Chatterji, Imroz and Tribunal crew. The surveillance by intelligence personnel has escalated. Khurram Parvez, Tribunal Liaison, has been previously targeted and remains under surveillance and Dr Chatterji was again harassed by intelligence and police personnel on June 30 while conducting their work.

Dr Chatterji, Parvez Imroz, advocate Desai, and Khurrram Parvez and other members of Tribunal met with families who narrated that their sons had been martyred by the police during the peaceful protest demonstrations. The Tribunal conducted its work in curfew-like conditions as Srinagar and various parts of occupied Kashmir witnessed heavy presence of the police and troops.

Meanwhile Frontline, the International Foundation for Protection of Human Rights Defenders has also condemned the intimidation and harassment of Imroz, demanding an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the incidents of intimidating the members of the Tribunal and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards.