‘PROBE DEADLINE INTO KUPWARA YOUTH’S KILLING NOT MET’

A magisterial probe into the July killing of a young man during army firing in Terhgam could not be completed in time because police and the concerned army unit were busy with preparations for Independence Day celebrations, officials said.  

The magisterial inquiry was ordered a day after 22-year-old Khalid Gaffar Malik was killed when soldiers allegedly fired at a group of youth during a protest in Terhgam on July 11. The probe was to be completed within a month by August 12.   

   

Additional District Magistrate Kupwara, Muzaffar Hussain, said that in the backdrop of the Independence Day preparations, army and police had not submitted their report about the incident but hoped they would do so soon. 

“It will take some more time as the army and police had not submitted their report yet. Once they will submit their report, the enquiry report will be submitted to the district administration Kupwara” said the probe officer, Muzaffar Hussain. 

“The witnesses and the family of the deceased youth had recorded their statement.”

A case FIR numbered 46/ 2018 stands registered in the Trehgam police station under various sections (147, 148, 323, 306, 307) of Ranbir Penal Code, including attempt to murder. 

On July 12, the District Magistrate (DM) Kupwara, Khalid Jehangir ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident to be completed within a month.

The probe officer had asked witnesses to record their statements before him at DC Office Kupwara from July 25 to August 2 during office hours.

Malik, the deceased shopkeeper was sitting at his shop front when soldiers passing by allegedly fired live rounds in retaliation to stone throwing protests by some youth in the area amid a shutdown called by the Joint Resistance Leadership against civilian killings.

Malik’s elder brother, Asif Ahmad is a soldier in the Indian Army and his two other brothers are employed in the state police. 

Father of the slain youth, Abdul Gaffar Malik said his sons have since joined back their duties in the state forces after taking a vow to get justice for their younger brother. 

“They first denied joining back their duties till they get the culprits hanged. But family issues forced them to join, I am myself enough to fight for the justice of my son,” said the senior Malik.

“I appeal the authorities to speed up the probe and give justice to my son.”

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