Bodies of two of the dead were exhumed from a graveyard at Wadar Zachaldara in Handwara, Jammu and Kashmir. (Photo: India Today)
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Thursday launched a magisterial inquiry into the Hyderpora encounter that took place in Srinagar on Monday. Four people were killed during the encounter; NS the families of the deceased claimed that at least three of them were innocent.
On the other end, Police in Jammu and Kashmir said that a terrorist, His aides and two civilians were killed in the encounter. He claimed that those killed were “terrorist associates”.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha ordered a magisterial inquiry into the killings after the families of three of the four deceased protested after their family members claimed their innocence. Additionally, political parties including the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference and the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Conference sat on dharna to support the families and demand justice.
magisterial inquiry
The magisterial inquiry began on Thursday. Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar Mohammad Ejaz Asad has appointed Additional District Magistrate Khurshid Ahmed Shah as the investigating officer.
Khurshid Ahmed Shah has already issued a public notice urging those who want to record their statement regarding the encounter and contact his office within ten days.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered by an ADM rank officer in the Hyderpora encounter. The government will take appropriate action as soon as the report is submitted in a time bound manner. JK Administration reiterates its commitment to protect the lives of innocent civilians and will ensure that no injustice happens.
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) November 18, 2021
The bodies were taken out after the return of the demand of the families
The family members of the three dead – Mohammad Altaf Bhat, Mudasir Gul and Amir Magrey – are protesting the killings, which they described as a “defamatory murder”.
Relatives of Mohammad Altaf Bhat and Mudasir Gul camped outside since Wednesday morning to press for the return of the bodies, which were buried in north Kashmir’s Handwara on Monday night.
On Wednesday night, the police removed the family members from the protest site. He was taken to the police control room for a meeting with senior officials where he reiterated his demand.
Finally, bodies were retrieved on thursday Officials said that more are likely to be handed over to their families later in the night.
opposition to political parties
national convention
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, The Vice President of the National Conference held a non-violent dharna in support of the type of the deceased. Party leaders also joined the protest organized near the residence of the Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court.
“We are sitting here peacefully. We would have blocked roads and bridges if we wanted to, but no. There was no sloganeering, no law and order and no road was blocked,” he said.
He said that despite the fact that the police accepted that the civilian was killed in the crossfire, his body was buried in Handwara.
(Photo: PTI)
People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration
Meanwhile, the People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) held a meeting at the residence of its president Farooq Abdullah to discuss the situation arising out of the encounter.
After the meeting, PAGD spokesman Mohamed Tarigami said they would explore all avenues to “end the culture of punishment and bloodshed”.
“We will write to the President of India this evening seeking a credible inquiry into the Hyderpora incident. In our view, only a judicial inquiry can be credible and impartial,” he said.
“The magisterial inquiry ordered by the Jammu and Kashmir government cannot be impartial as it is against the principles of justice that the accused administration investigates the allegations against itself,” he said.
People’s Conference, Hurriyat Conference
The People’s Conference and the High Court Bar Association also protested against the killings. apart from this, Hurriyat Conference has called for a general strike In this regard on Friday
(with inputs from PTI)
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