Srinagar, Aug 24: The magisterial probes ordered by the Government into the human rights abuses have proven to be “damp squib” as no follow up action has been taken on the findings and recommendations.
The status of more than 10 probes ordered by the present dispensation in its 20-month tenure reveals that ordering inquiries has become handy weapon for the government to cool down tempers after innocent killings. Not only this, probes seem to be a definite pattern of “justice denial” by just buying time and ironically fate of most of the probes is still not known.

BOMAI KILLINGS:
Troopers of Rashtriya Rifles shot dead two civilians Javaid Ahmed and Muhammad Amin Tantray in Bomai Sopur on February 22 last year. Following the protests, government ordered a probe, which was conducted by then deputy commissioner Varmul Baseer Ahmed Khan. The inquiry commission indicted Army saying that “troopers killed two civilians without any provocation” and “the Army action was not only disproportionate but breached all operational procedures.”
But 18 months down the line, police is awaiting sanction from the central government to file charge-sheet against the troopers in court, with the report gathering dust with the Government.

PAKHERPORA KILLING:
The state government ordered inquiry into the killing of a carpenter Ghulam Mohiuddin Malik by CRPF troopers in Pakherpora in South Kashmir’s Budgam district on March 18, last year. The inquiry officer recorded the statements of witnesses and police registered murder case against CRPF men, but report was never made public. Police is yet to file charge- sheet against the accused CRPF personnel in the case.

ALUCHIBAGH KILLING:
A 40-year old car dealer Manzoor Ahmed Beigh of Aluchibagh was allegedly tortured to death by SOG men at Cargo camp in May last year. Additional deputy commissioner Srinagar was asked to conduct an inquiry into the killing. The SOG inspector was dismissed from the service, but criminal proceedings were not initiated against him.

VARMUL TRIPLE KILLINGS:
After four killings in last week of June in 2009 in Varmul town, the government ordered magisterial inquiry into the three killings as the fourth one was already established. The inquiry officer indicted police and CRPF troopers for “unwarranted” use of force and recommended initiation of criminal proceedings against them. The inquiry report was submitted to divisional commissioner, but till date no follow-up action has been taken.

VARMUL TEARGAS-SHELL KILLING:
The inquiry conducted by additional deputy commissioner Varmul, Muhammad Ashraf Shantoo in killing of Irfan Ahmed by a teargas shell last year blamed police for” incompetent and unprofessional handling of situation”. It also indicted them of violating SOP, for not lobbing teargas canister as per standards. But action on the report is still awaited.

WATERGAM ARMY KILLING:
The probe ordered by deputy commissioner Kupwara into the killing of Sajad Ahmed Ganai is still incomplete due to non-cooperation of Army. The troopers of 32 RR didn’t turn up before the inquiry officer despite letters shot to them twice for deposition. The villagers contested Army claim that “Sajad Ahmed Ganai had intruded into their camp and attacked them with axe”, saying that he was killed in cold blood.

ZAHID FAROOQ KILLING:
The divisional commissioner Kashmir conducted an inquiry into the killing of Zahid Farooq by Border Security Force personnel on February 5 this year. Although it established involvement of BSF men, only after the Centre’s intervention BSF personnel were handed over to the police. The police filed charge -sheet in the month of April against BSF commandant RK Birdhi and constable Lakhvinder Singh charging them with murder.

MACHIL FAKE ENCOUNTER KILLINGS:
Following the expose of fake encounter in Machil sector of Kupwara in month of May this year, state government ordered a probe, which was to be conducted by the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir. But neither the Divisional Commissioner nor the Deputy Commissioners of Kupwara and Varmul probed the matter.
The police went ahead and presented Challan against 10 persons including eight Army personnel who included a Colonel and two Majors.
Pertinently, Army had killed three youth Shezhad Ahmed, Reyaz Ahmed and Muhammed Shafi of Nadihal, Rafiabad in fake encounter in Machil sector of Kupwara on April 29 and passed off them as infiltrators.

JAVAID MALLA KILLING:
The Chief Omar Abdullah asked the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to conduct probe into the killing of Javaid Ahmed Malla who was shot dead by CRPF troopers during protests on June 20 in the city, but at the same time he termed his act as ‘suicidal.’ Nothing is known about the inquiry, except summoning of witnesses by inquiry officer for recording their statements.

ISLAMABAD KILLINGS:
The magisterial probe ordered by government in killings of three youth- Ishtiyaq Ahmad, Shujat-ul-Islam and Imtiyaz Ahmed Itoo- indicted police officials for “cold-blooded murder” demanding stern action against them.
Not only this, inquiry officer also recommended action against top officials of police in the district, who were present on the spot at the time of killings. But justice eludes the families of victims as perpetrators are roaming free.

RAFIABAD CUSTODIAL DEATH:
Tariq Ahmad Dar of Fidarpora Rafiabad in Varmul died in police custody in Panzala police station on July 25 this year, forcing government to order magisterial inquiry. The family of deceased accuses police of torturing him to death but police maintains that he committed suicide in lock-up.
Following the incident, police suspended three cops and attached the concerned SHO. Not to talk of concluding inquiry, investigation officer is yet to record the statement of a single witness or a policeman.

GOVERNMENT SPEAKS:
The government on its part says that action is being initiated on the inquiry reports.
“We take action on findings and there might be late action in some cases due to delay in submitting reports,” Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Naseema Lankar told Greater Kashmir. “BSF men were arrested in killing of Nishat youth after probe was conducted by me,” she said.
Despite repeated attempts, Law Minister Ali Muhammad Sagar didn’t pick up the phone.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 24 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 24 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST