rediff.com: J&K orders inquiry into killing of 'militants'


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March 30, 2000

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J&K orders inquiry into killing of 'militants'

Mukhtar Ahmad In Srinagar

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a high-level enquiry into the killing of five foreign people allegedly involved in the Chatti Singhpora massacre, at Pathribal Kothar in south Kashmir. The action was taken following massive protests in Anantnag district.

The killing of the five men triggered a controversy here with locals alleging that those killed at Pathribal were innocent civilians picked up after the massacre.

State Director General Of Police Gurbachan Jagat and State intelligence chief Rajinder Tickoo has rushed to Anantnag today to conduct the enquiry.

Jagat met senior police officials in Anantnag. People in the town observed a shutdown with residents demanding that the bodies be exhumed and DNA tests conducted. The bodies were charred beyond recognition and were buried by the police.

State Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had earlier described the killing of the five men as a major success. He himself broke the news in the State assembly last week.

While congratulating the Anantnag district police chief Farooq Khan, who led the operation at Pathribal, Union Home Minister L K Advani during his visit to Chatti Singhpora on Sunday had described the killings as a major success " as some culprits were eliminated within four days of the carnage."

Police officials admitted that some persons are missing in the district. Talking to this paper this evening, Kashmir divisional commissioner Khushid Ganai said that instructions have been given to the Anantnag deputy commissioner to have the bodies exhumed immediately if necessary.

"We won't hide anything. I have directed the DC, Anantnag to take a decision. We will exhume the bodies to unravel the truth," he said.

He admitted that the locals suspected that those killed in the encounter were civilians. Communist Party of India-Marxist member Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami also raised the matter in the state assembly today.

He demanded that the government should "come out with facts of the incident". The Chief Minister said he would make a detailed statement in the House later.

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