Srinagar, July 17: Maintaining that use of excessive force by police can’t be ruled out in the killing of three youth in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district last month, the State Human Rights Commission has sought a detailed report from the Government, police and the magistrate probing the incident.
 The Commission also stated that after scrutiny of the report, if needs arises, it will form a Special Investigating Team to thoroughly probe the incident.
 Pertinently, three youth- Ishtiaq Ahmad Khanday, Imtiyaz Ahmad Rather and Sajad-ul-Islam- were killed in police firing on June 29 inside the lawn of a house at Ancihdora Islamabad. People have accused the police of killing the trio in cold blood.
 The chairperson of SHRC, Justice Bashir-ud-Din said there were two versions to the circumstances that led to the killings.
 “One theory is that the trio was killed by police while trying to quell protests. While the newspaper reports quoting witnesses states the youth were shot dead at a point blank range inside a house in Islamabad. Which of the two versions are true and the circumstances leading to the firing and killing of the youth is definitely a matter of enquiry. The facts and circumstances have to be determined by a fair and transparent inquiry countenanced by law,” Justice Bashir-ud-Din observes in his order.
 However the chairperson maintains that “if this incident is to be seen in the prism and context of previous chain of similar incidents, the excessive and disproportionate use of force could not be altogether ruled out.”
 “I want to make it clear that this Commission will not tolerate the killings of innocents in the disguise of maintaining law and order. If it is proved that the trio was killed in cold blood by policemen, this Commission will leave no stone unturned to press for stringent punishment to them in the larger interests of protecting human rights of people,” he observed.
 The Commission has shot notices to the Director General of Police, Financial Commissioner, Secretary to Government Home Department, Deputy Commissioner and SSP Islamabad for filing detailed reports regarding the matter. Besides it has directed the concerned authorities to file report of the Magisterial Inquiry.
 The Commission has also issued summons to parents of the slain youth for placing their version of the events.
 “Depending on the report received, the Commission may constitute a Special Team to enquire into the matter,” the chairperson stated. The case will come up for hearing on July 22.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 17 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 18 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST