Irfan A Mir 

Srinagar, Jan 01 (KNS): Former Chief Minister J&K and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday shot a letter to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and demanded return of dead bodies of three youth who were killed in Lawaypora HMT encounter two days back besides impartial investigation into the case.
According to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Mehbooba writes "I am sure you are aware of the unfortunate incident at Parimpora on 30th December. Three boys, the youngest being all of 17 years old were killed in what the family has alleged to be a staged gunfight. This incident has come close on the heels of an enquiry report that held an Army captain guilty &
responsible for a fake encounter at Amshipora in Shopian. Again the three victims now established as
innocent through an investigation were killed & later dubbed as militants".
Letter further reads "You and I may not agree on most political matters that concern J&K but I am certain we agree that
such incidents bring disrepute to the armed forces & are a grave violation of human rights".
"I am aware that the administration is apprehensive about returning their dead bodies to the families
but this callous decision will only exacerbate their sense of loss & pain. One hopes that you will
rethink this decision & allow them to get closure. A mother who grieves the sudden & tragic death of
her beloved son shouldn't be deprived of the last chance to see his face. Nor does she deserve to have to beg for his dead body. This is simply inhuman & unacceptable", Mehbooba wrote.
She added "I urge you to intervene and ensure that these families get a chance to perform the last rites as per their
wishes. Questions are also looming over this encounter and there are conflicting versions and reports from police & the army. Justice can be served only if its swift & therefore I request you to initiate an impartial investigation into the matter immediately".
Notably on Dec 30th, joint contingent of forces including Army, CRPF and SOG of J&K launched Cordon and Search Operation in Lawaypora area after credible inputs about movement of militants in the area. "Soon contact was established with hiding miitants, they fired upon search part, triggerring an encounter", police official had said.
He added the hiding miitants though given every chance to surrender but they refused and added in decisive action all three miitants were killed.
Meanwile soon after the gunbattle ended up, families from south Kashmir's Pulwama and Shopain protested outside Police Control Room, Srinagar and contested government forces claim. "Our son's had no association with any militant outfit. They were students and we don't know even where from forces picked them", families told reporters. They alleged that their sons were killed in a "cold blood" murder. (KNS)