Annual Report 2008-2009 students. There was no reliable evidence to support that the police was present in immediate vicinity at the time of assault on the Professor. As such, it was difficult to hold the police responsible for violence unleashed by a group of students. It further held that there was no basis to conclude that the negligence of police or any other authority resulted in violation of human rights of the deceased. Even though the NHRC condemns the incident in its strongest terms, it will not be possible for it to recommend any relief. Accordingly, the case was closed by the NHRC. 6. Mass Cremation by Punjab Police (Case No. 1/97/NHRC) 4.187 The follow-up of this case has been continuously reported in the earlier Annual Reports of NHRC. 4.188 The Supreme Court of India vide its order dated 12 December 1996 had remitted the aforementioned case to the NHRC for facilitating identification of 2,097 dead bodies cremated by Punjab Police in the three districts of Amritsar, Majitha and Taran Taran between 1984 and 1994. 4.189 Till 31 March 2008, on account of the efforts made by the NHRC in association with the Government of Punjab, a total of 1,388 deceased persons could be identified. An amount of Rs. 25, 75, 25,000 was also recommended by the NHRC for payment to the next of kith and kin of the deceased. 4.190 For identification of the remaining 657 unidentified bodies (excluding duplicate names), the NHRC vide its proceedings dated 17 June 2008, constituted a Committee headed by Shri N.S. Kang, Secretary to the Government of Punjab along with two other members. The Report of the Committee is awaited. The matter is under consideration of the NHRC. 7. 76 Army Men Punished for Human Rights Violations in Kashmir (Case No. 122/9/2006-2007-AF) 4.191 The NHRC, on taking suo motu cognizance of a newspaper report learnt that 72 army personnel had been punished during the last couple of years on account of charges of human rights violations against them. It called for information from the Defence Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Government of India and the Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir to apprise it about the ex-gratia relief, if any, awarded to the victims or next of kin of the deceased victims. The response is still awaited from the concerned authorities despite reminders. 8. Death of Child due to Beating by School Teacher in Amritsar, Punjab (Case No.621/19/2006-2007-WC) 4.192 Pursuant to the directions given by the NHRC, a report was received from the Additional Director General of Police, Punjab. The allegation of beating by the school teacher was denied as false and baseless. It was further reported that the girl was ill for some days prior to her death and she was being treated at Bimal Hospital in Amritsar. 59