Twitter
Advertisement

J&K police book Indian Army soldiers for two civilians' 'murder'

Mufti dials DefMin; Army claims firing was to save soldiers

Latest News
article-main
A security personnel stands guard in Srinagar on Sunday
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Trouble is mounting for the Indian Army after the Jammu and Kashmir police slapped murder charges against troops and a Major for killing two youths at Ganawpora village in South Kashmir's Shopian district on Saturday.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under Section 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder) and 336 (endangering life) of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) against troops of the 10 Garhwal unit led by Major Aditya. The RPC is a criminal code applicable in Jammu and Kashmir as the Indian Penal Code (IPC) does not apply in the restive state.

The state police has launched an investigation and all concerned are likely to be called for questioning. .

"We are yet to proceed further. The FIR was filed on Saturday. Today, there was a hartal call and stone-pelting. However, in routine course, the probe will reach its conclusion. Investigation has been set in motion. The normal procedure will be followed (for investigation)", said Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, SP, Shopian.

Two youths — Javiad Ahmad Bhat and Suhail Javaid Lone — were killed when troops fired at a stone-pelting mob on Saturday. Seven Army men, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, were injured in the stone-pelting.

The Indian Army, however, said in a statement that the troops opened fire in self-defence after a group of 200 stone-pelters tried to lynch a JCO, snatch weapons and torch vehicles when their administrative convoy was passing through the area.

Anger has swept across the Valley with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti calling up Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to express anguish over the loss of lives in the incident.

"Every civilian killing, notwithstanding how erroneously made, impairs the political process in the state which has been put on track after hard work by all political parties", said Mehbooba.

The Jammu and Kashmir government has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident and asked for a report within 20 days.

Unimpressed by Mehbooba's action, the Opposition is gunning for her government that is also bracing up for protests in the Legislative Assembly when it resumes its business.

"Mehbooba Mufti should rise above her chief ministerial post, and as a human being, introspect whether this bloodshed is a result of her being in power. Whether the anger has increased because of her alliance with BJP," said GA Mir, president of J&K Pradesh Congress Committee.

President of J&K Bachao Tehreek, Abdul Gani Vakil, demanded a judicial probe into the killing of civilians by forces. "The blood of Kashmiris has become so cheap that it is being spilt on a daily basis and without justification", he said.

Mehbooba's alliance partner BJP, however, reacted guardedly, saying investigations should be conducted to find out the truth. "We have to wait till at least preliminary investigation is held to find out whether the version of the Army is correct or not", said Sunil Sethi, state spokesman of BJP.

Meanwhile, BJP lawmaker Ravinder Raina on Sunday said, "army did the right thing" by opening fire.

The MLA also dared the police to register "as many FIRs as you want" as the army enjoys impunity under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act. "The army has its own court, there is no magisterial inquiry," he added.

Addressing media persons on the sidelines of an army function near the Line of Control (LoC), the legislator said, "Army fired in self defence, for the security of the nation and as per law… it was extremely important and much needed… the army did the right thing."

Raina said that Pakistan was trying to fuel violence in Jammu and Kashmir. "Pakistan is making repeated attempts to worsen the situation in Jammu and Kashmir… attempts are being made to snatch the weapons of our soldiers… attacks are being carried out on our soldiers…soldiers are being injured…their vehicles were damaged…in such circumstances, our soldiers won't worship them," he said.

Raina also lashed out at the government over the amnesty scheme extended to stone-pelters in the state.

"Put stone-pelters behind bars and they will learn a lesson," he said.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement