KINS Desk
Srinagar, Oct 03 (KINS): Authorities on Saturday carried out exhumation of bodies of three youths of Rajouri killed in a fake encounter in Amshipora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district on July 18 this year and handed over them to their families. However the families of the trio expressed hope upon the investigation process and said the justice is incomplete till the perpetrators of the crime will be awarded stern punishment.
The families of the trio – Abrar Ahmad (25), Imtiyaz Ahmad (20) and Mohammad Ibrar (16) – were given permission from Deputy Commissioner Rajouri who met the district administration of Baramulla for taking possession of their beloveds who were killed in a fake encounter in Amshipora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district. The bodies who were exhumed in presence of senior police and civil officers were handed over to the respective families who carried the bodies to their native villages for burial.
The exhumation and subsequent handing over of the bodies came a few days after Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh said that investigations into the Shopian encounter has been entered into the final stage and exhumation process will be initiated soon.
“The investigation is in its final stage. We have started whatever legal process has to be undertaken and this proves will be completed soon”, DGP had said as per the news agency KINS.
Earlier on September 30, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir range Vijay Kumar had said that since the DNA samples matched with the families, the bodies will be exhumed and handed over to families after the due process of law.
The Army in its separate investigation had also admitted that during the Shopian encounter powers vested under AFSPA were exceeded. “Certain prima facie evidence indicating that the powers vested under the AFSPA 1990 were exceeded during the operation.”
Defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia had said that inquiry has found that the “Do’s and Don’ts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) as approved by the Supreme Court have been contravened”.
“Consequently, the competent disciplinary authority has directed to initiate disciplinary proceedings under the Army Act against those found prima-facie answerable,” he had said.
On July 18, police in a statement had said that three militants were killed in a gunfight with a joint team of police, army and CRPF in Shopian district on an input by the army.
“On a specific input by 62RR about presence of (militants) in village Amshipora area, an operation was launched by them in the area,” a police spokesperson had said.
During the search, he had said, the militants fired upon the Army and the encounter started. “Later on police and CRPF also joined. During the encounter three unidentified militants were killed,” he had said in the statement, adding, “Bodies of all the killed three (militants) were retrieved from the site of encounter.” However, he had said, the identification and group affiliation of the slain was being ascertained.
“Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter,” he had said.
Meanwhile families of the trio have expressed full hope upon the investigation process and said the justice is incomplete till the perpetrators of the crime will be awarded stern punishment.
“We have faith in the investigation process carried out by authorities. We have lost our family member. The wounds inflicted by forces are unforgettable. We hope those perpetrated crime will be given stern and exemplary punishment”,. (KINS)
Bodies of 3 Shopian fake encounter victims exhumed, handed over to families
