Azad orders judicial inquiry into Handwara killings

Earlier, CPI(M) member M Y Tarigami and Independent member Usman Majid said that there should be a probe into the matter.

NC leaders A R Rather and Ali Mohammad Sagar said that the incident had exposed the government’s claim that it is serious at avoiding human rights violations in the state.

After the CM announced the judicial probe, the NC leaders ended their agitation.

Earlier, the CM, in a written statement, described the event. He said that three civilians Samad Mir (24), S/o Ahsan Mir, R/o Doodhipora, Ghulam Hassan Bhat (18), S/o Ghulam Rasool Bhat, R/o Doodhipora and Shakir Ahmed Wani (8), S/o Ghulam Hassan, R/o Doodhipora died on spot while one Amir Ahmad Hajan (9), S/o Mohammad Akbar, R/o Doodhipora got injured during firing and succumbed to his injuries on way to sub-district hospital, Handwara.

‘‘On the same day the Army lodged a written report with the Handwara police station stating that a column of the 33 RR was fired on by militants at 1250 hours resulting in injuries to two Army personnel and killing four civilians in the cross firing. The parents of the four deceased civilians also lodged a written complaint in the police station alleging that on February 22 Army personnel of 33 RR camp Doodhipora fired indiscriminately on the civilians who were playing cricket which led to the death of four persons,’’ said Azad.