Srinagar, Sep 16: A Commission of inquiry set up by Jammu and Kashmir government to probe 17 civilian deaths during protests in June and July will extend the date for filing of affidavits by at least 10 days in view of the curfew in major towns of the Valley since Monday.
"We will definitely extend the time for filing of affidavits by eye-witnesses by 10 to 15 days as they have not been able to do so due to the prevailing situation in the Valley," head of the two-member judicial commission Justice (Retd) Bashir-ud-din Ahmad said.
No eyewitnesses have come forward to record their statements before the Commission which is probing 17 civilian deaths allegedly in firing by security forces between June 11 and July 19 with the deadline ending yesterday.
Many persons had approached the Commission after the public notice was issued on August 31 and promised to come back after Eidul Fitr with the affidavits but since the law and order situation deteriorated, they were not able to report to the Commission, Ahmad said.
Justice Ahmad, who is also the chairman of the State Human Rights Commission, said if the situation in the Valley improves over the next couple of days, the Commission would be able to submit its report within the stipulated time of three months. The Commission is expected to submit the report to the government by October 28.
"We have already sought information and documents from the officials including Home Secretary, DGP, Deputy Commissioner and SHOs of the concerned areas. The recording of the statements of the eye-witnesses, wherever required, should not to more than three to four days," he said.
The Commission issued a public notice on August 31, seeking information from persons, groups or organisations having any knowledge about incidents during protests sparked by the death of 17-year-old Tufail Ahmad Mattoo after he was allegedly hit by a teargas shell at Rajouri Kadal on June 11.
The Commission was appointed by the state government on July 27 on the recommendations of the all-party meeting convened by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The terms of reference of the Commission include to enquire into circumstances leading to deaths by firing or otherwise into the 17 incidents, fixing responsibility wherever excessive force has been used resulting in fatalities, suggest measures to avert recurrence of such incidents in future, recommend the action to be taken against persons or authorities found responsible in any such incident.
In order to facilitate appearance of the witnesses, the Commission has set up a ''sub-office'' each in Baramulla and Anantnag towns in addition to the main office here.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST