According to the official sources, no action would be taken on the outcome of the case-by-case inquiries ordered by the government from time to time into the recent civilian killings.

The state’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister, Ali Muhammad Sagar told Greater Kashmir that the recommendations of various probes including the magisterial probe into the killing of three teenagers in Islamabad which had established the involvement of the police in the incident would now go to the Commission of Inquiry headed by the justice (retd) Bashir-ud-Din for final decision. The Commission is to submit its report in three months.

“The Commission has been given more powers. It can either recommend action on the basis of the findings of the separate probes already ordered by the government or use the recommendations as preliminary findings to reach to the final conclusion,” Sagar said, adding the separate probes ordered would, however, continue their work.

In its 14-page report submitted to the District Magistrate, Islamabad, the Magisterial probe conducted by  Assistant Commissioner Revenue, had recommended action against the culprits including some top officials of the police and district administration who were present on the spot when the killing of three teenagers Ishtiyaq Ahmed, Imtiyaz Ahmed Itoo and Shujat-ul-Islam had taken place on June 29. However there has been no follow up action on the findings of the magisterial probe.

“The action has to be taken at the highest level. I will be submitting the report to the government in coming few days,” said DC, Islamabad Jaipal Singh.

Police had also constituted a Special Investigation Team headed by DSP headquarters to probe the incident. Sources said the team recorded the statement of a key witness, driver of police Rakshak vehicle and a constable.

“It seized the vehicle but has not so far carried out the identification parade of the suspects before witnesses to move further in the case,” sources said.

Except for transfer of some police officials including DIG, SSP, two SHOs and two Sub-Inspectors, there has been no progress in the case which had led to massive valley-wide protests and two week long curfew in the main town Islamabad. In the preliminary FIR report, police had said that the trio was killed in firing by unidentified gunmen.

In another case involving killing of two youth Shakeel Ahmad Ganai, 24, and Firdous Ahmad Khan, 20, of Sopur in CRPF firing on June 25, the government had ordered constitution of separate inquiry commission under the chairmanship of Justice (retd) Bashir-ud-din. However, there has been no progress into the probe.

The fate of the inquiries ordered into the killing of Tufail Ahmad Matoo, and Javaid Ahmad Malla is not known too.

Tufail was hit by a teargas shell at his head fired by police at Rajouri Kadal on June 11. His skull had broken and brain splattered all-over the place causing an instant death. Police had first denied its role however an autopsy later confirmed the use of firearm as the cause of Tufail’s death. Malla, 17, had died on the spot on June 20 when CRPF opened fire at protestors during the funeral procession of Rafiq Ahmad Bangroo allegedly beaten to death by the CRPF troopers earlier.

The chief minister had reportedly directed Divisional Commissioner to probe the killing and report in one week. However the Divisional Commissioner later said that she was never formally asked by the government to probe the incident.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST