New Delhi, Aug 10 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Jammu and Kashmir government and the centre over the killing of a civilian in an alleged staged shootout.

Ashok Kumar was shot dead by a Special Police Officer (SPO) and an army personnel showing him as a terrorist named Abu Usman Aug 7 in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kumar was said to be a mentally challenged person.

In a statement Wednesday, the commission said: "On consideration of complaints, notices have been issued to the Director General of Police, Jammu and Kashmir, District Magistrate and Superintendent of Police, Poonch, and the secretary, ministry of defence, and directed them to take appropriate action with regard to the investigation of the case as per guidelines laid down by the commission".

It has also sought the magisterial enquiry report, post-mortem examination report along with report of independent investigation within eight weeks.

"The commission has also asked the Superintendent of Police, Poonch, to explain as to why the intimation regarding the death in police action was not reported to it within 48 hours as per the NHRC revised guidelines," it added.