Srinagar. July 1: The continuous curfew in Sopur is hampering the inquiry by one-man Judicial Commission appointed by the Government to probe the killing of two youth, Shakeel Ahmad Ganai and Firdous Ahmad Khan allegedly in paramilitary CRPF firing in the apple town on June 25.
Meanwhile the Commission is understood to have started the process of setting up its base in Sopur to resume the assignment.
The Judicial Commission headed by a retired judge of the High Court, Justice Bashir-ud-Din, who is also chairperson of the State Human Rights Commission was directed by the Government to investigate the killing of the duo allegedly in firing by troopers at a procession at Krankshivan Sopur. The procession was demanding bodies of two militants killed in an encounter in the area on the same day.
The Commission had been directed to file the report within a month. Highly placed sources said due to continuous curfew and tension in Sopur, the Commission had delayed issuance of the public notice which mandates beginning of the probe by enlisting witnesses and recording their statements.
Sources said the Commission was exploring the possibility of setting up base in Sopur to start hassle free probe into the killings. Pertinently, the Commission has been established by virtue of the 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.
When contacted, Justice Bashir-ud-Din, acknowledged delay in initiation of the probe. “We have completed all the modalities for starting the probe. But due to continuous curfew in Sopur we have delayed issuing public notices.  If I had gone ahead, it would have defeated the purpose of probe. I am aware of the fact that it is not possible for the witnesses who mostly belong to Sopur to reach to the Commission in prevailing circumstances.” Justice Bashir-ud-Din told Greater Kashmir.
He said witnesses have to file their statements on duly attested affidavits. However, he maintained that the Commission was taking its time to ensure transparent probe.
“I am in touch with administration in Sopur and keenly monitoring the situation there. Under the prevailing situation, it is difficult for the Commission to visit Sopur. However, I have started the process to set up base at Sopur for convenience of the witnesses. This will ensure free and fair probe but I need cooperation of people,” he said.
Incidentally, Justice Bashir-ud-Din in his career spanning over three decades has conducted many inquiries. He had last headed a judicial commission in 1988 to probe the gutting of Gujjar Hostel in Varmul in 1988 in which four students were killed. He had indicted the Hostel’s management for negligence.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 1 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
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