Srinagar, Sept 6: The Commission of Inquiry, constituted to probe the killings of 17 out of 68 civilians by police and paramilitary troopers since June, has sought reports from the State Government and the Police seeking particulars of the accused troopers and policemen and status of investigations into the cases so far.
Official sources said the two member Commission headed by Justice (Retd) Syed Bashir-ud-Din has asked the Home Commissioner, respective Senior Superintendents of Police and Station House Officers to identify particulars of the troopers and policemen who were on duty at the spot at the time of the killings.
The Commission has also sought names of the magistrates in whose presence the accused troopers and policemen opened fire and teargas canisters resulting in the killings.
“This will help to establish the identity of the accused troopers and policemen and establish whether they opened fire on their own or on the
orders of the magistrates,” officials wishing anonymity told Greater Kashmir.
The Commission has asked the police to give comprehensive details of the kind and quantity of the ammunition issued and utilized in the firing by the troopers and policemen on the fateful days.
It has also asked the police to submit whether FIR in respect of the 17 killings has been lodged or not. “In case no case has been registered, the Commission wants to know if any proceedings under Section 174 CRPC has been initiated. The Commission has asked the police to state whether the post-mortem autopsy of the killed persons was carried or not,” they said.
The Commission has also directed the police to furnish inquiry reports conducted by the district administration or any other information which it deems relevant.
“After examining these reports, the Commission will be able to identity the accused personnel who were involved in the killings and initiate proceedings against them,” sources added.
The terms of reference of the Commission include to enquire into the 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 the recurrence of such incident in future, recommend the action to be taken against the person (s) or authorities found responsible in any such incident.
On September 1, the Commission issued public notices through newspapers 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 or magistrate.
The Commission has also assured full protection to the persons who wish to make their statements regarding the incidents. It has also bifurcated the cases of Srinagar, Islamabad and Varmul districts and fixed separate dates and places for depositions. Sources said till now nobody from the Srinagar city, wherefrom the probe was scheduled to start, has approached the Commission to record their statements.
The Commission has decided to dispatch notices to the respective families of the slain teenagers and youth informing the dates of their depositions.
The setting up of an independent Commission of Inquiry to probe the killings was recommended by the All Party Meeting called by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Commission has been formed by virtue of Jammu and Kashmir Commission of Inquiries Act 1962.
It was first constituted on June 26 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. However, due to unfavorable situation in the apple town the probe was hampered. Later the Government clubbed these cases with the fresh judicial probe into the 15 other killings. The Commission has to submit its report within three months to the Government.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 7 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST