Uproar in J&K: Families reject SIT report

NT Correspondent

Srinagar: With several political leaders in Valley rejecting the findings of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Jammu and Kashmir Police which formed to probe the Hyderpora encounter, J&K police on Wednesday warned of action against the leaders. “Such speculative statements from the political leaders have tendency to create provocation, rumour, fear and alarm among the general masses or particular section of society. This kind of approach is against the rule of law and may attract appropriate penal provisions as envisaged under law,” a JK police statement issued on Wednesday evening said.

The police which is under pressure in the case during a press conference on Tuesday had said that one of the slain civilians was killed by the “foreign terrorist” during the operation, while another one who was used as a “human shield” by the same militant and was killed in the cross-firing.

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Central Kashmir Range, Sujit Kumar who is heading the SIT probe had also ruled out any wrong happening on the part of the security forces. Soon after the presser, several political parties had rejected the findings of the probe. On Wednesday, the families of civilians also rejected the police version of the probe.

An encounter in Srinagar’s Hyderpora area last month had triggered a massive controversy in the valley. Of four persons killed in the operation which also included one foreign militant, families of three civilians had challenged the police claims, saying they had no links with the militants.

A statement by JK police said that on Wednesday came with several posts on media “from some political leaders and family members wherein they have casted doubts upon the evidences obtained by SIT so far”. “These people have tried to call it ‘concocted cover up story”, ‘ornamental probe”, etc,” the police said.

It also said that District Magistrate Srinagar had ordered a probe and also issued a general notice, inviting members of the general public to record his/her statement if any such person has any acquaintance or knowledge or proof regarding the incident. “All such person making statements should have approached the enquiry officer with genuine evidences they have, for corroboration or contradiction of the facts surfaced in the case, the statement said.

Stating that the SIT “constituted in the instant case is still investigating the matter”, the JK police said, “all such persons are once again advised to provide any type of evidence if they have regarding the incident so that every aspect of the investigation is covered and concluded on merits.”

Earlier, the political parties continue to question the JK police regarding the probe. “Hyderpora probe on expected lines. One more addition to hundreds of ornamental probes Any victims of the past or of the future better ensure that they are not caught up in wrong place at the wrong time or even right place at the wrong time.