The NHRC also alleged that it was not getting proper assistance from state executives in disposing of such cases and claimed that most officials do not adhere to established rules and practices.
Its member Justice (Retd) B C Patel said state governments should respond to notices sent by the panel regarding encounters at the earliest so that the aggrieved are compensated soon.
According to NHRC figures, it has received maximum number of complaints about alleged encounters from Uttar Pradesh (851), followed by Bihar (93), Andhra Pradesh (84), Maharashtra (69), Manipur (61), Assam (57), and Tamil Nadu (42).
Twenty-eight complaints of alleged encounters have been reported from Gujarat, which has been in the news for alleged fake encounters in recent years, the figures show. Twenty-seven complaints were from Jammu and Kashmir.
The total number of complaints received regarding alleged encounters from individuals and organisations are 1,697.
With regard to encounters intimated by police, again Uttar Pradesh tops the list with 948 cases followed by Assam (229), Maharashtra (124) and Andhra Pradesh (120). Gujarat Police intimated 16 cases of encounters to NHRC, while J&K police reported eight cases.
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Patel said if officers with the state government follow the recommendation process honestly, then the issue of handling the cases and providing compensation will be easy.
"Not all officers are discharging their duties in accordance with the law," Patel said.
On bonded labour issue, he said, police officers and government officials should be honest and not fall into the trap of brick kiln owners.