Srinagar, Mar 04 (KNS): In a significant decision, State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) chairman, Justice Bilal Nazki has ordered a fresh probe into the encounter where in 20 militants were killed on October 17, 1993 at Puner in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
According to an order dated February 3, 2017, Justice Nazki has appointed SP SHRC as the investigating officer for probing the encounter where 20 militants were killed of which only seven were identified while rest 13 were unidentified.
“A report has been filed by the Deputy Commissioner Bandipora in which it is stated that during an encounter between militants, 20 militants were killed seven of them were identified and bodies of them were handed over to their NOKs who buried them,” the order reads. It further states that the report has been contested by the petitioner, chairman International Forum for Justice Muhammad Ahsan Untoo. In these circumstances, let SP of the SHRC conduct an independent enquiry in to the matter and file the investigation in six months.”
According to the complaint filed by Untoo, forces allegedly killed 20 persons in the Puner village on October 17, 1993 when forces cordoned the area for search operation.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThe FIR was lodged in police station Bandipora vide FIR number 1455/93 under section 307 RPC 4 TADA, 25/27 Indian Arms Act.
The complaint further said that during the course of investigation, one ASI Muhammad Yousuf and Muhamamd Yaseen of police station Bandipora accompanied the Army troops on October 17 during the cordon and search at Puner at 6:30 am and there was cross firing between the alleged militants and the army and during which 20 persons were killed and one army soldier, namely Ram Das was injured.
The complaint also said that 20 persons were killed during cross fire were labelled as militants and out of which only five person were identified as locals and rest of persons were labelled as unidentified foreign nationals belonging to Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Expressing gratitude over the order issued by SHRC chairman, Untoo said it is too early to conclude. “Let us wait for six months, what will come out. My stand is that 20 people were killed when revered Hazratbal was under siege. All 20 were not militants. The ball is now is SHRC’s court,” Untoo said. (KNS)