Probe into civilian killings hits roadblock as army, police fail to submit reports

FATHER OF HANDWARA GIRL SUSPENDED’

Meanwhile, father of Handwara girl, who was allegedly molested by a soldier, has been suspended, officials said on Tuesday.

The girl is in police custody for the past several weeks and her father is accompanying her.

An official said the girl’s father is working as Coolie in the Roads and Buildings Department. “He has not been able to report to his duty for the past some time. We have kept his salary withheld,” Executive Engineer R&B Division, Handwara told Greater Kashmir. “He is on unauthorized absence from duty and has been suspended.”

SHABIR IBN YUSUF
Srinagar, Publish Date: May 4 2016 12:00AM |


Now, Handwara girl’s father placed under suspensionRepresentational PicThe magisterial inquiry ordered into Handwara civilian killings has hit a roadblock as Army and Police have failed to submit their reports to the inquiry officer despite passing of three weeks, sources said on Tuesday.

On April 13, soldiers of Army’s 21 Rashtriya Rifles shot dead two youth and a 53-year-old woman in north Kashmir’s Handwara town after protests erupted over alleged molestation of a schoolgirl by a soldier there. Several people were injured in clashes over the killings which evoked widespread condemnation. Later, the protests spread to other areas and two more youth were killed—one at Drugmulla area of Kupwara by police and another by Army’s 47 Rashtriya Rifles in Nutnusa on Srinagar-Kupwara highway. Scores of people were also injured in clashes against the killings.

An official, who is the part of inquiry team, said despite passing of three weeks, there is no response from Army and Police. “Both Police and Army are involved in the firing incident. Their testimony is therefore important,” the official, who wished not to be named, said.

He said “lack of cooperation” by police and army has literally blocked the probe ordered by the J&K government after massive public outcry, into the civilian killings.

“It will delay the inquiry and we won’t be able to submit the report within the stipulated time,” the official said.

He said three days ago, they sent a reminder to Police and Army.

The official disclosed that they have recorded the statements of over 25 people. “These include statements of victim families as well,” he said.http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/216544.html