Srinagar, Apr 27: The State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has indicted the personnel of Border Security Force for subjecting a civilian of Budgam district to enforced disappearance in 1990 and recommended the State Government to initiate legal action against the accused personnel.
 In her complaint to the Commission, Naza Bano had stated that her brother, Muhammad Shafi Chopan of Chaiya Guion Budgam was taken into custody by BSF on July 7, 1990 at Dhobiwan Tangmarg and since then his whereabouts are not known.
 Taking cognizance of the complaint, the Commission had sought a factual report from the Director General of Police. “The enquiries conducted into the matter have revealed that on July 7, 1990, the BSF men from Waripora Magam camp raided the house of Muhammad Shafi Chopan of Chaiya Guion and Abdul Sattar Ganaie of Kanihama Beerwah, picked up both the individuals and later took them to their camp. No recovery of arms and ammunition was made from both houses,” the DGP states in his report to the Commission.
 The DGP further states that: “Reports further reveal that while as Abdul Sattar was detained for a night and released next day, Muhammad Shafi Chopan was not released and since then his whereabouts are not known till date. As per the report, nothing adverse has been found against Muhammad Shafi Chopan prior to 2001,” the DGP further states.
 The Commission maintained that the complainant produced five witnesses in the case. It states a witness, Abdul Rehman Wani of Roshanbad Beerwah had testified that Muhammad Shafi Chopan was lifted by the BSF, while others witnesses Abdul Ghani, Ghulam Muhammad Mir and Chowkidar Hafizullah Parray corroborated his version.
 In his judgement, the member SHRC, Abdul Rashid Khan has indicted BSF for subjecting the civilian to custodial disappearance.
 “The facts and material on the file and the report of DGP makes its clear and established beyond any doubt that Muhammad Shafi Chopan was picked up by the BSF and was not released. Therefore as per the report of DGP and statement of eyewitness, Abdul Rehman Wani, Chopan has been has been subjected to enforced/custodial disappearance,” the member stated.
 The Commission recommended to the Government through Chief Secretary to issue instructions to the DGP for taking legal action against the BSF personnel of the concerned unit responsible for Chopan’s custodial disappearance.
 The Commission also recommended the Government to take measures for grant of ex-gratia relief to the next of kins of the civilian.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Apr 2011 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 27 Apr 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 IST