Baramulla, Nov 24:  The Commission of Inquiry set up by the state government to conduct inquiry into the killings of 17 youth during recent unrest on Wednesday visited this north Kashmir town and held the hearing of witnesses of state.
 The CoI comprising Justice (retd) Syed  Basheer-u-Din and Justice (retd) Y P Nargotra held the hearing of witnesses and summoned officials to ascertain the reasons that led  to the killings of the two youths. The   youths were killed in Baramulla on July 17-19 2010.
 The probe panel recorded the statement of five civil and police officials.
 Those who deposed before the commission included, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Additional Superintendent of Police, DSP operations, SHO Baramulla and the then magisterial officer Ghulam Ahmad Dar.
 During the proceedings, the family members of the two teenagers Faizan Ahmad and Fayaz Ahmad Khandey were present.
 The family members were allowed to cross-question the witnesses of the state.
 The commission after hearing the witnesses from the state would now hear family members of the victims on December 13.
 The two teenagers were killed on July 17 and 19.
 Faizan, a student of class 7th was allegedly drowned by the cops of Special Operations Group after they chased a group of protesters at Azad Gunj Bridge.
 Another victim Fayaz Ahmad Khandey received a bullet near Higher Secondary School Baramulla on July 19, when protests were held in the town after the body of the Faizan was retrieved from the River Jehlum.
  “We have recorded the statement of five government officials. The victims will depose before the commission on December 13,” Justice (retd) Bashiruddin said.
 Though the Commission had decided to conduct the hearing of witnesses to killing of seven youth killed in Baramulla and Sopore on Wednesday, but due to paucity of time, the commission would now conduct the hearing of witnesses in five  other youth killing, on December 13.
 Pertinently, the two-member commission was appointed by the government on July 27 on the recommendations of All-party Meeting (APM) convened by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah.
 The Commission was required to submit its findings within three months . However, on the request, the government extended its term by one more month.
 The commission will probe the circumstances leading to the death of 17 people across the Valley since June 11 to July 19. It will also fix responsibility into the killings and suggest measures to avert such incidents in future, besides recommending action against the officials responsible for the incidents.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Nov 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 24 Nov 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 25 Nov 2010 00:00:00 IST