Srinagar, July 14: The one-man Judicial Commission formed to probe the killings of two youth, Shakeel Ahmad Ganaie and Firdous Ahmad Khan, in CRPF firing on a procession in Sopur on June 25, has initiated the process to identity the troopers who fired the bullets.
Sources privy to the investigation said the Judicial Commission headed by retired High Court Judge, Justice Bashir-ud-Din, has sought details from the police about the battalion and identity of the troopers deployed at the spot on the fateful day.
“The Commission has directed the police and the district administration to also provide comprehensive information about the weapons and ammunition released to the accused troopers. The Commission will be taking forensic help to establish whether the bullets fired by the troopers killed the two civilians,” they said.
Sources said the Judicial Commission had dispatched a team of officers to the Apple Town to facilitate gathering of circumstantial evidence.
Justice Bashir-ud-Din acknowledged that the Commission had started the probe. “Preliminary investigation is part of the probe. It is imperative for the Commission to reconstruct the incident to ascertain the facts and circumstances that led to the killings of the two youth. The findings will be corroborated by the statements of eyewitnesses,” Justice Bashir-ud-Din, who also heads the State Human Rights Commission, told Greater Kashmir.
The Judicial Commission last week issued public notices asking the groups of persons, individuals, institutions and associations having knowledge directly or indirectly of facts and circumstances related to the incident to furnish statements in the form of affidavits sworn before any court by July 16.
“However, due to unfavorable situation, the date will be extended to July 22. People should approach the Commission without any fear for unveiling the truth. We assure full protection to the persons who wish to make statement regarding the killings before the Commission,” he said.
The Commission has been set up by virtue of Jammu and Kashmir Commission of Inquiries Act 1962. Its terms of reference include ascertaining the causes of death of the two civilians, determining the persons responsible for these deaths and fixing responsibility for use of excessive force, if any.
Though the Commission had been directed to file the report within a month, official sources said due to prevailing situation in the Valley, its tenure was likely to be extended.
The Sopur killings triggered violent demonstrations across the Valley in which many people were killed and hundreds injured.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 14 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 15 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST