Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 1: National Conference MP today claimed that Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has assured an impartial enquiry into the killing of three local militants by security forces in an encounter in Srinagar outskirts on Wednesday.
A NC spokesman said party MP from Anantnag (south Kashmir) constituency Justice (retd) Hasnain Masoodi spoke to Sinha and expressed his anguish over the reports surrounding Wednesday’s encounter at Hokersar in the city out skirts in which three militants were killed.
Justice Masoodi claimed that LG assured an impartial inquiry into the matter. In a tweet, the NC spokesman said, “MP Anantnag @masoodi_hasnain spoke to J&K LG @manojsinha_yesterday evening and expressed his anguish over the reports surrounding Wednesday’s encounter around HMT area in Srinagar.
Manoj Sinha assured an impartial enquiry into the matter”. The tweet was re-tweeted by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also vice president of the NC.
Omar has also demanded an inquiry into the encounter after family members of slain youth alleged that it was a stage managed encounter as their sons were not associated with militancy.
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti sought on Friday an impartial investigation into the killing of three youths in an alleged fake encounter here two days ago and demanded that the bodies be returned to their families.
In a letter to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Mufti said such incidents brought “disrepute” to the armed forces and are “a grave violation” of human rights.
“I am sure you are aware of the unfortunate incident at Parimpora on 30th December. Three boys, the youngest being all of 17 years old, were killed in what the family has alleged to be a staged gunfight,” she said.
“Questions are also looming over this encounter & there are conflicting versions & reports from police & the army. Justice can be served only if its swift & therefore I request you to initiate an impartial investigation into the matter immediately,” the former chief minister said.
Mufti said the incident comes close on the heels of police filing a charge sheet against an Army officer and two others in connection with the killing of three men from Rajouri district in an alleged fake encounter at Amshipora in Shopian last July.
The PDP leader said she and the lieutenant governor might not be on the same page on most political matters, “but I am certain we agree that such incidents bring disrepute to the armed forces and are a grave violation of human rights”.
Mufti said while she was aware that the administration was apprehensive about returning the bodies of the three youths killed in Srinagar to their families, “this callous decision will only exacerbate their sense of loss and pain”.
“One hopes that you will rethink this decision and allow them to get closure. A mother who grieves the sudden & tragic death of her beloved son shouldn’t be deprived of the last chance to see his face. Nor does she deserve to have to beg for his dead body. This is simply inhuman & unacceptable,” she said in the letter.
Mufti urged Sinha to intervene and ensure that the families get a chance to perform the last rites as per their wishes.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
